Oregon Air National Guard Deploys 21 Airmen to Afghanistan

Photo by 2nd Lieut. Amanda Straub

(SALEM) - The Oregon Air National Guard's 116th Air Control Squadron will deploy 21 Airmen to Afghanistan Sept. 9th. The unit, based out of Camp Rilea near Warrenton, will make final preparations on Sept. 8th. for a 120 day tour of duty at Kandahar Air Base.

The 116th ACS delivers a unique ability to plan and execute air operations in virtually any environment. Since Sept. 11th, 2001 the unit has been actively involved in Operation Noble Eagle, deploying nearly a dozen times to assist U.S. Northern Command with Homeland Security operations.

The primary equipment used by the 116th is a three-dimensional radar with a range of about 200 nautical miles that can detect aircraft up to 90,000 feet in altitude.

Complementing the radar is an operations module - a control center providing operators with four radar displays and communications equipment to combine the radar pictures with a variety of command and control platforms such as the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS).

In addition, the highly trained personnel and unit are mobile, capable of relocating quickly with little notice. The 116th ACS gives combatant commanders an essential picture of the battle space.

Most of the personnel deploying with the unit are traditional Guardsmen who live in Oregon and Washington. Among the group is a father and son as well as a husband and wife.

Lt. Col. Tim Olson, commander of the 116th ACS said any time the Guard deploys, it is truly a community effort.

"I want to express my deepest gratitude to the employers and especially the family members of our personnel for the sacrifices and support they give to our Guard members," said Lt. Col. Olson. "These folks are crucial for us to accomplish our mission. Without their support and encouragement, we fail."

Editor's note... This story was corrected to reflect the correct number of Guard airmen deploying to Afghanistan. The correct number is 21, earlier we had stated the number 29.