Charleston Airmen deploy to support war on terrorism

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Paul Kilgallon
  • 437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AFPN) --  More than 130 Charleston Air Force Base Airmen deployed from here Aug. 27 to a forward-deployed location in Southwest Asia to support operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Members of the 15th Airlift Squadron, 437th Operations Support Squadron and 437th Maintenance Group will fly and manage missions in and out of Iraq and Afghanistan. 

The squadron will assume control of the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron from the 14th Airlift Squadron based out of Charleston AFB, who will return home.

Lt. Col. John Lamontagne, the 15th AS commander, said there was no question about the importance of what they were getting ready to do and he thanked the members of the 15th AS for their efforts in getting ready to deploy.

"I am very proud to deploy with this squadron," said Colonel Lamontagne. "They have worked very hard in preparation for this deployment, and although it will be difficult to leave our families behind, I know the squadron will execute the mission well. I also know our spouse network, in conjunction with the base services, will take care of our family members left behind."

Their deployment marks the seventh time an entire Charleston AFB C-17 Globemaster III squadron has deployed for an operation.

Members of the 15th AS will perform combat airlift missions of personnel and equipment, airdrop resupply missions for troops in remote areas and aeromedical evacuation missions during this deployment, Colonel Lamontagne said.

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