Vermont National Guard officials announced the deployment of more than 100 personnel to Japan later this month.
A release from the guard said that “approximately 150 personnel and 10 F-16 Fighting Falcons are set to deploy to the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan” later this month. That means the majority of the Vermont Air National Guard's 18 F-16s will be leaving the state for the deployment.
The release said the deployment will help with “disaster relief, global situational awareness, combating piracy, active defense and power projection.”
Capt. Dyana Allen, a spokeswoman for the guard, said Wednesday afternoon that the deployment will last until "fall" of this year.
The deployment will be led by Lt. Col. Daniel Finnegan, the 134th Fighter Squadron commander, according to the release.
The release noted that residents in surrounding communities may notice “transient military aircraft” in the area throughout the rest of the week.
Update 2:48 p.m. This post was updated with information about the length of the deployment.
