Tinker reservists deploy to Guam, Southwest Asia Published Dec. 28, 2009 By Lt. Col. Rich Curry 507th Air Refueling Wing TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- More than 100 Air Force reservists from the 507th Air Refueling Wing deployed in late December to support Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The Air Force Reserve Command unit flies and maintains the KC-135R Stratotanker and performs daily air refueling missions in support of national defense. On Dec. 27 an advance team of reservists left Tinker AFB for Andersen AFB, Guam. The next day the main force of aircrew members from the 465th Air Refueling Squadron and aircraft maintainers from the 507th Maintenance Group deployed with several aircraft for 60 days in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and worldwide commitments. About 80 of the reservists went to Guam. At the same time, a 30-member contingency of activated operations and maintenance reservists left for Southwest Asia for a 60-day Air Force Reserve Command air expeditionary force rotation. In late January, 20 reservists from the wing's 72nd Aerial Port Squadron will travel to Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, for a six-month tour of duty. While deployed, the aerial porters will unload and load airfreight and passengers arriving and leaving the base. In June, more than 60 civil engineers will head to Southwest Asia for a tour of duty. Each year about 100 to 150 wing reservists volunteer to support a variety of stateside and overseas missions. By the end of 2010, some 300 to 400 wing reservists will have deployed during the year, according to 507th Logistics Readiness officials. "The 507th Air Refueling Wing has consistently supported a volunteer and AEF deployment tempo that rivals and exceeds other Air Force Reserve and active-duty organizations," said Col. Jeffery R. Glass, 507th ARW commander. "Our best thoughts go out to these deployers as they serve in these critical roles."