An Early Morning Goodbye for 148FW Security Forces

  • Published
  • By MSgt Jason Rolfe
  • 148FW Public Affairs
DULUTH, Minn. --  Air National Guard members of the 148th Fighter Wing, Duluth, Minn., said goodbye to family and friends early this morning in Duluth, Minn. These Security Forces specialists are deploying to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. They will deploy for approximately 6 months.

Today's departure is just the beginning of the deployment process. The deploying guardsmen will travel to Ft. Dix, N.J., to undergo further training before traveling to their final duty station.

"Training at Ft. Dix is part of our learning process." says Staff Sgt. Ian Nickila. "It includes more pre-deployment training that adds to the intense training already undergone at the 148th."

Once the guardsmen from the 148th Fighter Wing arrive at their final duty station they will work as a team along side their fellow airmen. They will employ their training and vigilance as Security Forces specialists. Major Tyler Rule, 148th Fighter Wing Security Forces Squadron Commander, says "These deployments can be hard, but are most rewarding in the end."

148th Security Forces deploying members were called to orders early October and will arrive at their deployed location in late 2009.