WI NATIONAL GUARD ADVISORY: Homecoming ceremony set for returning Air Guard unit
CONTACT: Capt. Joe Trovato | ngwi.pao@mail.mil | 608-345-7585
Senior Wisconsin National Guard leaders will join families and friends to welcome home approximately 110 Airmen from the 128th Air Control Squadron at a ceremony at Volk Field, Wisconsin, Nov. 20.
The ceremony will begin at approximately 1 p.m.
The Volk Field-based unit is returning to Wisconsin after a six-month deployment to Southwest Asia.
The unit deployed across the region and provided round-the-clock battle management command and control of combat missions for Operations Inherent Resolve, Resolute Support, Freedom Sentinel and the Combined Defense of the Arabian Gulf.
In addition to the 128th Air Control Squadron, Wisconsin National Guard troops continue to play an active role in global security operations, fulfilling its role as the primary combat reserve of the Army and Air Force. Last week, approximately 270 Airmen from the Madison, Wisconsin-based 115th Fighter Wing returned from a deployment to Korea and 35 Soldiers from the West Bend, Wisconsin-based Company C, 1st Battalion, 168th Aviation returned from a deployment to Afghanistan. Another 30 Soldiers from the West Bend-based 248th Aviation Support Battalion deployed to the Middle East in September, while more than 70 Airmen from the 128th Air Refueling Wing in Milwaukee are in the midst of worldwide deployments. Another 150 Soldiers from the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s Madison-based 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation deployed to Kuwait last spring.
Meanwhile, the Wisconsin National Guard has been busy fulfilling the other half of its dual-mission as the nation’s first military responder in times of emergency. Approximately 650 Wisconsin National Guard troops deployed to Florida where they provided humanitarian relief, security and traffic control support to communities in the wake of Hurricane Irma. In addition, Airmen from the 128th Air Refueling Wing, 115th Fighter Wing and Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center deployed to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the wake of Hurricane Maria this fall. Two Wisconsin National Guard UH-60 Black Hawks and 19 Soldiers also deployed to the U.S. Virgin Islands to assist with medevac missions there.
