Kentucky Air National Guard Begins Deployments

The Kentucky Air National Guard has started a more than week-long series of deployments to Afghanistan. Thirty-four Guard troops left Louisville this morning.  In just over a week’s time, there will be 200 total Guard personnel deployed for the mission.They’re members of the 123rd Airlift Wing headquartered in Louisville.  Commander Colonel Greg Nelson says the troops are there for tactical missions.“We will be flying throughout the country of Afghanistan providing support to forces on the ground," says Nelson.  "We can either do what we can an air land, which hauls in supply and directly lands at forward locations, or we can air drop personnel, equipment, and supplies wherever they’re needed for ground support.”Nelson says the 123rd should be back by May 19th.  It’s a short deployment, but Nelson says this unit deploys more frequently for shorter missions.  This is the fourth deployment for the 123rd since 2003.