CONTACT: Eric Durr: 786-4581

FOR RELEASE: Friday, Aug 31, 2007

ON SITE: NEADS: Brooke Davis (315) 334-6536

ROME, N.Y. -- A New York Air National Guard Security Forces Squadron from the Northeast Air Defense Sector (NEADS) is deploying to Kyrgyzstan in support of the Global War on Terror in early September. The Air National Guard members will provide force protection support at their deployed location. The squadron is fully prepared to support the Air Force through Air Expeditionary Force operations and their deployment has no impact on the unit’s overall manning or their ability to provide force protection at their home station. Members of the deploying Security Forces squadron are drill status guardsmen activated to support GWOT operations. The squadron’s deployment is the largest ever for NEADS, which is located at the Griffiss Technology Park. The unit has deployed other members in support of deployed and homeland defense operations. These include Operation Noble Eagle, a homeland defense operation and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Air Force does not disclose the length of Airmen’s deployments as a matter of policy. In general deployments can last from 60 to 180 days. In preparation for the deployment, the security force members completed a two -week pre-deployment combat readiness training course in Fort Bliss, Texas to prepare them for possible challenges overseas. Additionally, NEADS has a Family Readiness Group to assist the families of the deployed members. The readiness group pulled together many resources from the unit to provide support to the families of those deployed, including volunteers that can help them with things like appliance repair, car repair and childcare. “The squadron will be contributing to the Total Force effort that is essential for the Air Force to perform its mission,” said Col. Clark Speicher, NEADS commander. “From a Total Force perspective, NEADS is proud to be able to support operations through this deployment along side Active duty and Air Force Reserve members.” NEADS, a joint Active Air Force and New York Air National Guard organization, which also includes a Canadian Forces component, monitors the airspace of the eastern United States and Canada from its command center at the former Griffiss Air Force Base under the control of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command. For More information contact NEADS Public Affairs Officer Brooke Davis at (315)334-6536.