About one-third of the Nevada Air National Guard 152nd Airlift Wing will be deployed into combat zones in southwest Asia over the next few months.
The Reno Gazette-Journal reports Lt. Col. Todd Hudson, the 152nd Operations Group commander, says it's the largest deployment cycle in the history of the Nevada Air National Guard.
The staggered deployment will include many of the wing's C-130 transport aircraft, their crews and other members of the guard who can expect deployments lasting from two to six months.
The first C-130 carrying about 30 Nevada guardsmen was scheduled to leave Reno Thursday morning. The rest will follow in groups over the next few months.
The aircraft and their support crews will function as ferries moving equipment, supplies and soldiers.
It will be the first deployment for many of the estimated 300 Nevada guardsmen.
