Ohio Air National Guard 180th Fighter Wing deploys 200 on overseas mission

4/26/2013
BLADE STAFF

About 200 members of the Ohio Air National Guard 180th Fighter Wing based at Toledo Express Airport are being sent on an overseas mission, the largest such deployment in several years, said Maj. Gary Bentley.

"We are trying to keep it low key," Major Bentley said. "We're not disclosing the location. It's an overseas location in support of the global war on terror."

Pilots and several of the fighter wing's aircraft are part of the mission,  which should last about 60 days. The fighter wing knew about two years ago that its next large deployment could be in 2013.

"This has been in the works. It was scheduled and planned," Major Bentley said.

Members of the 180th are deployed regularly in small groups, he said.