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Puerto Rico ANG deploys to war zone for first time in history

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Orville F. Desjarlais Jr.
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
The Puerto Rico Air National Guard deployed here Sept. 8 - the first time in a war zone in its 55-year history.

Although a few of the members have been deployed to other regions of the world, such as a joint-force deployment to Bosnia, they have never deployed as a unit to a war zone until now.

"This is history for us," said Chief Master Sgt. Wilford Palmer, 156th Airlift Wing aircraft maintenance production supervisor. "This is an adventure because none of us has ever been here before."

The chief said when the unit asked for volunteers for this war-time deployment, they received so many they had to restrict the deployments to one-month for most of them so they could give everyone a chance to serve in Operation Enduring Freedom.

"We still have people at home who want to be here," Chief Palmer said. "They want to be part of the freedom fighters, to be part of liberating Afghanistan and Iraq to spread democracy."

Although their members will be rotating out every 30 days, the unit is committed to its 120-day deployment.

"Our goal is to make this a better country and spread democracy, and that's inspirational to me," said Master Sgt. Robin Santana, a C-130 Hercules avionics guidance control technician. "I volunteered to serve my country and do my part."

Eight years ago, the unit flew F-16 Fighting Falcons. Now they fly the Herc.

"The switch was tough," the chief said. "Our unit had always been a fighter-oriented unit. Switching to the heavy community was a big change. But we adapted and learned that the C-130 mission is an excellent mission. We're relevant and ready to go."

The 68 members who deployed received a hero's send off nine days ago when they left after getting interviewed by three newspaper and one television news crew. Even a senator was on hand to bid them farewell.

The trip from Puerto Rico to here took seven days because of mechanical problems in Greece.

"We have always wanted to get involved for a long time and now we're getting the chance," the chief said.