The Georgia Air National Guard’s 117th Air Control Squadron deploys to Iraq in January as an integral component of AEF 9&10. The deployment marks the second time the Hunter AAF-based Air Guard unit has deployed to the region in the past five years.

The deploying air control package includes more than 180 Georgia Air Guardsmen joined by approximately 100 Puerto Rico Air Guardsman from the 141st Air Control Squadron.

During the six-month deployment, the Guardsman will have responsibility for complete airspace management of the area, marking this deployment as the first time that an Air Guard Air Control Squadron assumes complete control of all air resources in the area – fighter, tankers and airlift.

The radar control and identification unit is responsible for identifying all aircraft flying the 270,000 square mile airspace over Iraq.

When a confrontation with anti-Iraqi forces –“troops in contact”—occurs the Georgia unit will identify and track the aircraft and work directly with the air support operation center to send in fighters to provide support.

The number one priority for the deployment is supporting the tactical mission.

According to Squadron Commander, Lt. Col. Richard Austin, “We don’t normally ‘own’ the airspace, but with for this deployment we will have total airspace control.” Additionally, the Georgia Guardsmen will be fielding new, state of the art, equipment from the active Air Force.

Three ANG teams, two of which number over 130 persons and a smaller contingent will be positioned at three locations throughout Iraq.

In 2001, the 117th deployed to Kuwait as the first Air National Guard ASC unit to augment active duty ACS units controlling the airspace in the region.