Arizona National Guard unit deploys to Kuwait

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - Some Arizona National Guard members are saying goodbye to their family and friends as they are deployed to Kuwait for the next year.

Company F, 168th Air Traffic Services Heavy will deploy to Kuwait in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

The unit held a send-off ceremony Friday afternoon at the Army Aviation facility at the Papago Park Military Reservation.

This is the fourth time in 10 years that the unit deployed overseas.

The soldiers will provide tactical air traffic and ground control approach radar service to aircraft taking part in Operation Inherent Resolve.

The nearly 30 soldiers assigned to the unit are part of the few remaining Arizona National Guard members serving on federal active duty overseas. More than 11,000 soldiers and airmen belonging to the Arizona National Guard have been called to federal active service since Sept. 11, 2001.