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133rd Airlift Wing Deploys Again to Southwest Asia

By Captain Ann Todd, 133rd Airlift Wing / Published May 05, 2010

Deployers from the 133rd Airlift Wing enjoy breakfast prepared by co-workers and family members in the early morning hours on May 1, 2010 at the St. Paul Air National Guard base. Airmen departed for duty in Southwest Asia as the Minnesota Air National Guard's C-130 unit takes another turn in the combat zone. USAF photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mark Moss (Released)
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Deployers from the 133rd Airlift Wing enjoy breakfast prepared by co-workers and family members in the early morning hours on May 1, 2010 at the St. Paul Air National Guard base. Airmen departed for duty in Southwest Asia as the Minnesota Air National Guard's C-130 unit takes another turn in the combat zone. USAF photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mark Moss (Released)

Medical specialists review the records with deployers from the 133rd Airlift Wing at the St. Paul Air National Guard base on May 1, 2010. Airmen departed for duty in Southwest Asia as the Minnesota Air National Guard's C-130 unit takes another turn in the combat zone. USAF photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mark Moss (Released)
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Medical specialists review the records with deployers from the 133rd Airlift Wing at the St. Paul Air National Guard base on May 1, 2010. Airmen departed for duty in Southwest Asia as the Minnesota Air National Guard's C-130 unit takes another turn in the combat zone. USAF photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mark Moss (Released)

The commander of the 133rd Airlift Wing, Col. Greg Haase (right), wishes a deploying Airman a good flight just before departure from the St. Paul Air National Guard base on May 1, 2010. The Minnesota Air National Guard unit flies C-130 "Hercules" cargo aircraft, which is used by the military in Southwest Asia to transport troops and supplies around the region. USAF photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mark Moss (Released)
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The commander of the 133rd Airlift Wing, Col. Greg Haase (right), wishes a deploying Airman a good flight just before departure from the St. Paul Air National Guard base on May 1, 2010. The Minnesota Air National Guard unit flies C-130 "Hercules" cargo aircraft, which is used by the military in Southwest Asia to transport troops and supplies around the region. USAF photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mark Moss (Released)

Chaplain (Lt. Col.) John Echert (2nd from left) of the 133rd Airlift Wing, checks the fit of individual body armor on a deploying Airman just before departure from the St. Paul Air National Guard base on May 1, 2010. The Minnesota Air National Guard unit flies C-130 "Hercules" cargo aircraft, which is used by the military in Southwest Asia to transport troops and supplies around the region. USAF photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mark Moss (Released)
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Chaplain (Lt. Col.) John Echert (2nd from left) of the 133rd Airlift Wing, checks the fit of individual body armor on a deploying Airman just before departure from the St. Paul Air National Guard base on May 1, 2010. The Minnesota Air National Guard unit flies C-130 "Hercules" cargo aircraft, which is used by the military in Southwest Asia to transport troops and supplies around the region. USAF photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mark Moss (Released)

Deployers board a Minnesota Air National Guard C-130 at the St. Paul Air National Guard base on May 1, 2010, on their way to duty in Southwest Asia. The Minnesota Air National Guard unit flies the C-130 "Hercules" cargo aircraft, transporting troops and supplies around the region. USAF photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mark Moss (Released)
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Deployers board a Minnesota Air National Guard C-130 at the St. Paul Air National Guard base on May 1, 2010, on their way to duty in Southwest Asia. The Minnesota Air National Guard unit flies the C-130 "Hercules" cargo aircraft, transporting troops and supplies around the region. USAF photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mark Moss (Released)

The air crew of a C-130 "Hercules" cargo aircraft works through their checklist before launching on a trip to Southwest Asia on May 1, 2010. Deployers from the Minnesota Air National Guard C-130 unit at the St. Paul Air National Guard base will be transporting troops and supplies around the region. USAF photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mark Moss (Released)
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The air crew of a C-130 "Hercules" cargo aircraft works through their checklist before launching on a trip to Southwest Asia on May 1, 2010. Deployers from the Minnesota Air National Guard C-130 unit at the St. Paul Air National Guard base will be transporting troops and supplies around the region. USAF photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mark Moss (Released)

Airmen form the 133rd Airlift Wing get settled into a C-130 "Hercules" cargo aircraft on May 1, 2010 as they prepare to launch on a deployment to Southwest Asia. Minnesotans from the St. Paul Air National Guard base will be transporting troops and supplies supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. USAF photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mark Moss (Released)
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Airmen form the 133rd Airlift Wing get settled into a C-130 "Hercules" cargo aircraft on May 1, 2010 as they prepare to launch on a deployment to Southwest Asia. Minnesotans from the St. Paul Air National Guard base will be transporting troops and supplies supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. USAF photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mark Moss (Released)

Crew chiefs pull the chocks from under the wheels of a C-130 "Hercules" cargo aircraft on May 1, 2010 as they prepare to launch on a deployment to Southwest Asia. Minnesota Airmen from the St. Paul Air National Guard base will be transporting troops and supplies supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. USAF photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mark Moss (Released)
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Crew chiefs pull the chocks from under the wheels of a C-130 "Hercules" cargo aircraft on May 1, 2010 as they prepare to launch on a deployment to Southwest Asia. Minnesota Airmen from the St. Paul Air National Guard base will be transporting troops and supplies supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. USAF photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mark Moss (Released)

A crew chief from the Minnesota Air National Guard snaps a salute to the Airmen aboard a C-130 "Hercules" cargo aircraft as they launch from the Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport on May 1, 2010. Minnesota Airmen from the St. Paul Air National Guard base are deploying to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. USAF photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mark Moss (Released)
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A crew chief from the Minnesota Air National Guard snaps a salute to the Airmen aboard a C-130 "Hercules" cargo aircraft as they launch from the Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport on May 1, 2010. Minnesota Airmen from the St. Paul Air National Guard base are deploying to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. USAF photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mark Moss (Released)

A Minnesota Air National Guard C-130 "Hercules" cargo aircraft races down the runway and takes off from the Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport on May 1, 2010. Minnesota Airmen from the St. Paul Air National Guard base are deploying to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. USAF photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mark Moss (Released)
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A Minnesota Air National Guard C-130 "Hercules" cargo aircraft races down the runway and takes off from the Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport on May 1, 2010. Minnesota Airmen from the St. Paul Air National Guard base are deploying to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. USAF photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mark Moss (Released)

Sleek looking when wet a 133rd Airlift Wing C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft turns during taxi for takeoff from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The aircraft is leaving for Southwest Asia with Airmen of Minnesota Air National Guard will be transporting troops and supplies in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson (Released)
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Sleek looking when wet a 133rd Airlift Wing C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft turns during taxi for takeoff from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The aircraft is leaving for Southwest Asia with Airmen of Minnesota Air National Guard will be transporting troops and supplies in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson (Released)

A 133rd Airlift Wing C-130 Hercules screams down the runway with water streaming off the props during takeoff for Southwest Asia 6 May, 2010. Airmen from the Minnesota Air National Guard 133rd Airlift Wing are deploying with the Herc to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson(released)
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A 133rd Airlift Wing C-130 Hercules screams down the runway with water streaming off the props during takeoff for Southwest Asia 6 May, 2010. Airmen from the Minnesota Air National Guard 133rd Airlift Wing are deploying with the Herc to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson(released)

A 133rd Airlift Wing C-130 Hercules screams down the runway with water streaming off the props during takeoff for Southwest Asia 6 May, 2010. Airmen from the Minnesota Air National Guard 133rd Airlift Wing are deploying with the Herc to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson(released)
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A 133rd Airlift Wing C-130 Hercules screams down the runway with water streaming off the props during takeoff for Southwest Asia 6 May, 2010. Airmen from the Minnesota Air National Guard 133rd Airlift Wing are deploying with the Herc to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson(released)

A Senior Airman of the 133rd Airlift Wing Minnesota Air National Guard secures his body armor in the cargo hold of a C-130 Hercules bound for Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 13 May 2010. The aircraft and Airmen of the 133rd are deploying to Southwest Asia is support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson(released)
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A Senior Airman of the 133rd Airlift Wing Minnesota Air National Guard secures his body armor in the cargo hold of a C-130 Hercules bound for Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 13 May 2010. The aircraft and Airmen of the 133rd are deploying to Southwest Asia is support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson(released)

Airmen of the 133rd Airlift Wing Minnesota Air National Guard find their seats aboard a C-130 Hercules bound for Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 13 May 2010. The aircraft and Airmen of the 133rd are deploying to Southwest Asia is support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson(released)
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Airmen of the 133rd Airlift Wing Minnesota Air National Guard find their seats aboard a C-130 Hercules bound for Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 13 May 2010. The aircraft and Airmen of the 133rd are deploying to Southwest Asia is support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson(released)

In the cargo hold of a 133rd Airlift Wing Minnesota Air National Guard C-130 Hercules two Loadmasters play a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors to decide who will brave the wind and rain to launch the C-130 13 May, 2010. The aircraft and Airmen of the 133rd are deploying to Southwest Asia is support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The loadmaster performs the calculations and plans cargo and passenger placement to keep the aircraft within permissible center of gravity limits throughout the flight. Loadmasters ensure cargo is placed on the aircraft in such a way as to prevent overloading sensitive sections of the airframe and cargo floor. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson(released)
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In the cargo hold of a 133rd Airlift Wing Minnesota Air National Guard C-130 Hercules two Loadmasters play a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors to decide who will brave the wind and rain to launch the C-130 13 May, 2010. The aircraft and Airmen of the 133rd are deploying to Southwest Asia is support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The loadmaster performs the calculations and plans cargo and passenger placement to keep the aircraft within permissible center of gravity limits throughout the flight. Loadmasters ensure cargo is placed on the aircraft in such a way as to prevent overloading sensitive sections of the airframe and cargo floor. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson(released)

A C-130 Hercules bound for Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom awaits launch 13 May 2010. The aircraft and Airmen of the 133rd are deploying to Southwest Asia is support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson(released)
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A C-130 Hercules bound for Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom awaits launch 13 May 2010. The aircraft and Airmen of the 133rd are deploying to Southwest Asia is support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson(released)

A Loadmaster with the 133rd Airlift Wing Minnesota Air National Guard communicates with the pilot during launch of a C-130 13 May, 2010. The aircraft and Airmen of the 133rd are deploying to Southwest Asia is support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The loadmaster performs the calculations and plans cargo and passenger placement to keep the aircraft within permissible center of gravity limits throughout the flight. Loadmasters ensure cargo is placed on the aircraft in such a way as to prevent overloading sensitive sections of the airframe and cargo floor. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson(released)
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A Loadmaster with the 133rd Airlift Wing Minnesota Air National Guard communicates with the pilot during launch of a C-130 13 May, 2010. The aircraft and Airmen of the 133rd are deploying to Southwest Asia is support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The loadmaster performs the calculations and plans cargo and passenger placement to keep the aircraft within permissible center of gravity limits throughout the flight. Loadmasters ensure cargo is placed on the aircraft in such a way as to prevent overloading sensitive sections of the airframe and cargo floor. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson(released)

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St. Paul, Minn. -- The Minnesota Air National Guard's 133rd Airlift Wing will be deploying approximately 350 members in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom this year.

The length of the deployments will range from two to six months, depending on the assignment and location. This is the third, fourth or even fifth deployment to Southwest Asia for many 133rd Airlift Wing personnel.

Since September 11, 2001, the 133rd Airlift Wing has deployed over 4,500 Airmen to locations around the world in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

On May 1st the Wing launched the first C-130 H3 "Hercules" cargo airplane from the Minneapolis, St. Paul International Airport headed to Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. Additional aircraft will be launched in the coming weeks. According to 133rd Airlift Wing Commander, Colonel Greg Haase, the C-130 Hercules supports many facets of the military mission, including airdrop and airland delivery of supplies, equipment and personnel to remote airfields.

"Another mission of the C-130 is aeromedical evacuation," says Col Haase. "We hope they are not needed, but we are ready to exercise any of the primary disciplines the C-130 and crews provide if called for in the theater of operations."

The approximate 350 deploying Airmen include aircrew members, maintenance personnel, security forces, firefighters, civil engineers and many others.

In 2009, the Twin Cities-based 133rd Airlift Wing deployed more than 700 Airmen to 16 countries in support of U.S. operations worldwide. The Wing is comprised of approximately 1,250 men and women who serve in support of state and national needs.

For more information on the 133rd Airlift Wing visit www.133aw.ang.af.mil.

For more information on the Minnesota National Guard visit www.MinnesotaNationalGuard.org.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Capt. Ann Todd with the 133rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office at ann.todd@ang.af.mil or call 612-713-2435.