On Thursday, April 25, members of the media are invited to cover the departure of approximately 30 New Jersey Air National Guard members to Oman in Southwest Asia. These "Guardians of Freedom" will be headed overseas to replace their fellow citizen-airmen who were deployed in early March when the 108th ARW was tasked to provide aerial refueling in the war on terrorism.

Additionally, the next planeload of approximately 30 Air Guard members to return to McGuire AFB from Southwest Asia will arrive on Monday, April 29. Members of the media are also welcome to cover their arrival and subsequent reunion with their families.

Media who wish to cover the event(s) are asked to call the 108th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office at 609-754-4173 to arrange access to the base. A public affairs representative will escort them onto McGuire. Each media outlet must leave a voicemail providing their media representative's name, organization, and which event(s) they plan to cover. Or email the information to denise.waggoner@njmcgu.ang.af.mil.

These media opportunity(ies) will consist of:

· April 25 (media report time to Gate #2, 24-hr gate is 10:00 p.m.):
· 10:00 p.m. - midnight, troops process through McGuire AFB passenger terminal. Interview opportunities available with military members.
· 1:00 a.m., flight departs.
· April 29 (media report time to Fort Dix checkpoint #1 is 12:00 noon):
· 12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m., reception, with refreshments, at Family Readiness Center for families, legislators, distinguished visitors, guests, and media. (Bldg. 3327)
· 1:00 p.m. (approx.), KC-135 lands.
· 1:15 p.m., legislators, distinguished visitors, and media greet military members as they step off the plane.
· 1:30 p.m., legislators, distinguished visitors, media, and troops return to Family Readiness Center.
· 1:40 p.m., military members reunited with families. Welcoming remarks by Legislators/distinguished visitors.
· 2:00 p.m., event concludes.
All times are approximate and subject to change.

Since the Sept. 11 attacks on America, the 108th Air Refueling Wing, based at McGuire Air Force Base, Burlington County, N.J has mobilized more than 600 of its 1,400 citizen-airmen to support Operations Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle.

Providing air refueling support and strategic airlift, the 108th ARW has 20 KC-135E Stratotankers, making it one of only three "super tanker wings" in the Air National Guard.