Photo furnished
Deploying Airmen of the 183rd Air Operations Group based in Springfield, Illinois, board a C-130 aircraft on the first leg of their journey to duty in the Middle East. Approximately 80 members of the unit will provide command and control of airpower to Air Forces Central Command and are expected to return home in January 2017. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Shaun Kerr)

•July 27, 2016•

Approximately 80 airmen with the 183rd Air Operations Group in Springfield recently deployed to the Middle East.

The airmen will be providing command and control of airpower throughout the Middle East region. Trained to synchronize the efforts of air component operations, the deploying members are specialists in a number of aircraft and systems. They will be responsible for day-to-day execution of combined air and space operations supporting Air Forces Central Command.

Col. John Patterson of Springfield, commander of the 183rd Fighter Wing, referred to the group as, “great Americans,” praising their extensive preparation for this mission. He encouraged them to stay connected with family and friends while deployed and was sure he would be hearing good things about their performance.     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.