Indiana Guard Unit Going To Mideast For 6 Months

Associated Press

In this photo taken March 10, 2012, Technical Sgt. David Costello uses a piece of tape to date the fuse wire on a munition in Fort Wayne, Ind. The date is put on the munition to identify the when it was made.
*Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Justin Goednen.*

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) — About 300 members of a Fort Wayne-based Indiana Air National Guard unit will deploy to the Middle East for six months beginning next month.

The 122nd Fighter Wing says the deployment to the U.S. Central Command region involves about a third of its force.

The deployment isn't linked to President Barack Obama's plan to confront the militant Islamic State extremists who have seized territory in Iraq and Syria. Wing spokesman 2nd Lt. Christopher Myers says the deployment has been in the works for more than a year and involves serving in a support role.

Wing commander Col. Patrick Renwick says those going on the deployment have undergone additional cultural awareness and weapons training.

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