Army Guard troops depart for Africa; Air Guard troops return from Southwest Asia

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On Sunday, March 8, 2015, the Delaware National Guard will host a departure/return ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. at the Army Aviation Support Facility, 33 Corporate Circle, New Castle, Del. The ceremony is open to the public and the media are invited to attend.

The seven Soldiers of Detachment 7, Operational Support Airlift Agency will deploy to the Horn of Africa in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Their mission is to support Joint United States Africa Command operations by transporting personnel and supplies to remote locations in the country.

The detachment, headquartered in New Castle, has just under 30,000 flight hours. Of those, 5,000 are combat or imminent danger hours. This is not the first deployment for any of the Soldiers, it is the second, third and even fourth.

Twenty AirmenĀ of the 142nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron returned home earlier this year after a six-month deployment to Southwest Asia, Germany, andĀ air bases in the U.S. The mission of the squadron is to provide "the best care in the air." Nurses, medical technicians, and group support personnel operate throughout the aeromedical evacuation system to bring home America's wounded troops aboard various aircraft.

Thirty Airmen of the 166th Civil Engineer Squadron returned home earlier this year from Southwest Asia after a six-month deployment. While in theater, the squadron served with the 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, performing skilled trades work at air base facilities to support contingency operations.

Over 800 friends, family and well-wishers are expected to fill the facility. The ceremony is open to the public and media are welcome to attend.

For more information please contact Lt. Col. Len Gratteri at 302-540-0134.

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