The 165th Airlift Wing of the Georgia Air National Guard will begin a deployment today to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in the Persian Gulf region to support Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

Family members, friends and colleagues will show their support and gather at the Savannah Air National Guard Base to see the unit depart at 7 a.m.

Approximately 100 guardsmen consisting of medical, communications and logistics personnel, as well as flight crews will deploy in support of the mission.

“It’s what we raise our hand for,” said Col. Rainer “Speedy” Gomez, commander of the 165th Airlift Wing. “We’ve deployed numerous times to the region in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and it’s very rewarding for the 165th Airlift Wing to participate in this new phase of the CENTCOM Mission.”