148th Fighter Wing Hosts Deployment Ceremony

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  • By Capt. Audra Flanagan
Duluth, Minn. --  Governor Tim Pawlenty, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Adjutant General - Maj. Gen. Larry W. Shellito and Mayor Don Ness joined family and friends in a 148th Fighter Wing Departure Ceremony on Sunday, November 2nd, 2008 at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center.

The 148th is ending 2008 with large deployments in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. In all, the Wing will have deployed approximately 300 personnel to a variety of locations in Southwest Asia between September 2008 and February 2009. The majority of personnel will be deployed to Balad Air Base, Iraq where they will provide Close Air Support and Reconnaissance in support Central Command (CENTCOM) operations.

The 148th also has Civil Engineers, Fire Fighters, Services personnel, Personnel Specialists and Logistics personnel deployed to multiple locations.

The deployment ceremony featured children of 148th members singing Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA, a traditional change of command ceremony and speeches by elected officials.