Members of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing in Louisville recently hosted a delegation of military and government officials from five European countries as part of a State Department exchange program. The visit showcased how the wing supports both state and federal missions with its C-130H transports. “We were very excited to host the international visitors for their tour of the base,” said Lt. Col. Robert Hamm, 123rd AW vice commander. He added, “I found the visitors very motivated to understand what the Air National Guard does, and very interested in the dual-role mission sets and dynamics of the National Guard.” Among the highlights, the guests from Britain, Bulgaria, Hungary, Ireland, and the Slovak Republic met with airmen of the 123rd Contingency Response Group and received a briefing on the unit’s disaster-response capabilities, said wing officials. (Louisville report by MSgt. Philip Speck)
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
