Minn. Guardsmen Return Home from Deployment

  • Published
  • By 133rd Airlift Wing
  • Public Affairs Office
St. Paul, Minn. --  Nearly one hundred airmen from the Minnesota National Guard's 133rd Airlift Wing returned to Minnesota following a four-month deployment to Southwest Asia, Nov 6th, 2014.

"Our Airmen are coming home after a great deployment. Their diligence and constant strive for excellence showed in their efforts and accomplishments while deployed. Their high level of readiness paid huge dividends as they successfully flew and directly supported numerous C-130 re-supply and humanitarian airlift missions in the region. I am proud of each and every one of our Airmen and am glad all have come back safely to their families," said Air Force Col. Jim Johnson, 133rd Airlift Wing commander.

While overseas, the 133rd airmen successfully flew more than 793 sorties, hauling an estimated 5,077 passengers and 2,177 tons of critical cargo via airdrop and airland capabilities. Several missions also provided emergency airlift of approximately 139 patients, allowing for timely medical care, said Air Force Capt. Winnie Tan Musser, Public Affairs Officer.

"I am proud of the men and women of the 133rd Airlift Wing who once again stepped up to answer our nation's call. Our airmen are continuously training to the highest standards in order to perform when called upon by our state or our nation," said Johnson.

The 133rd Airlift Wing's C-130 transport aircraft supports many military missions, including airdrop and airland delivery of critical supplies, equipment and personnel to remote airfields and to areas not easily reached by ground travel, said Tan Musser. C-130s also provide aeromedical evacuation of wounded service members, where trained medical personnel provide timely, life-saving medical care while patients are transported to a medical facility.

The 133rd Airlift Wing is comprised of approximately 1,200 men and women who serve in support of state and national needs.