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C-130 unit reservists volunteer to serve overseas

  • Published
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. --  About 30 Air Force reservists from the 908th Airlift Wing left here early Feb. 5 for Southwest Asia aboard two C-130 aircraft.

The wing is the first C-130 unit in Air Force Reserve Command to deploy under a new rotation system filled by volunteers. Unlike past deployments, Reserve C-130 units on the new rotation system provide airlift support for U.S. Central Command using volunteers serving one-month tours.

On hand to see the reservists off were their families and other base personnel, including another 60 unit reservists slated to leave Feb. 6 on a KC-10 air refueling aircraft.

Also watching the reservists leave Feb. 5 was Maj. Gen. Martin M. Mazick, commander of 22nd Air Force. His job includes overseeing all C-130 units in the command.

The general thanked the deploying reservists for "stepping up." He said they raised their hands and volunteered to be "put in coach."

In addition to more aircrew and maintenance people, the second group on the KC-10 includes Airmen from the 908th Security Forces Squadron. After the security forces reservists arrive in theater, they will board another aircraft bound for their deployed location.

The 908th AW was activated in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom from November 2003 to November 2005. During that period, wing aircrews flew more than 10,000 hours, including 7,000 hours in and around Afghanistan and Iraq. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service from a 908th AW news release)