133rd Airlift Wing’s C-130 Hercules and Airmen Depart for Deployment

MEDIA ADVISORY: For Immediate Release
August 22, 2023

ST. PAUL, Minn. – More than 125 U.S. Air Force Airmen along with C-130 Hercules from the
Minnesota National Guard’s 133rd Airlift Wing will deploy to the U.S. Africa Command area of
responsibility this week.

“It’s exciting to head off and perform our federal mission,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Brandon
Moore, Commander of the 109th Airlift Squadron. “We have flyers, maintainers, and support
staff that have trained for almost a year now to prepare themselves for the deployment. We spent
countless hours flying, preparing aircraft, and completing ground training. To be able to put
those skills to use flying real-world missions is gratifying. To become a part of the 109th Airlift
Squadron’s long and storied history stretching back over a hundred years is extremely
rewarding.”

The primary mission of the C-130 Hercules is to transport cargo and personnel, which is what
the Airmen will be responsible for overseas.

The 133rd Airlift Wing has a proud heritage as part of the Minnesota National Guard. It was the
first federally recognized aviation squadron in the United States. The 133rd Airlift Wing
celebrated their 100th year in January 2021.

Editor’s Note: Media is invited to capture the departure on Aug. 24, 2023, at 6:30 a.m.
The 133rd Airlift Wing is a secure military installation. RSVPs are required by Wednesday, Aug.
23, 2023, at 3 p.m. Members of the media will be required to provide their full name, date of
birth, and driver’s license number for clearance in order to access the base. Please send your
RSVP to the 133rd Airlift Wing’s Public Affairs office at (612) 713-2410 or
133.aw.pa.mailbox.org@us.af.mil.

About the Minnesota National Guard –
Established in 1856 and headquartered in St. Paul, the Minnesota National Guard has more than
13,000 Soldiers and Airmen who serve in 58 communities across the state. The Citizen-Soldiers
and Airmen of the Minnesota National Guard are ‘Always Ready’ to fight the nation’s wars,
protect the country, respond to state emergencies, and contribute to local communities. For more
information about the Minnesota National Guard, visit https://MinnesotaNationalGuard.ng.mil.
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