Members of the Minnesota National Guard’s 133rd Airlift Wing Return Home in Time for Christmas

(KNSI) — One hundred twenty-five Members of the Minnesota National Guard’s 133rd Airlift Wing will be home in time for Christmas.

The men and women have been on a three month long deployment to the Horn of Africa. While there, they were responsible for maintaining four C-130 Hercules aircraft and transporting passengers and cargo. Those planes will be replaced with the C-130J Super Hercules by 2030. The current H-3 has been with the 133rd since 1996.

A welcome home ceremony is scheduled for Thursday afternoon at their base in St. Paul.

“Our wing is so proud of what our Airmen accomplished during their deployment overseas,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Jesse Carlson, 133rd Airlift Wing’s Commander. “We train extremely hard to be ready to execute our mission when the nation calls. We are especially excited to have our Airmen come home safely in time for the holidays so they can be with their families. We express sincere gratitude to the families for the sacrifices they have made and the support they give. We cannot do our jobs without them, and getting everyone reunited now is very special.”

In February, 550 National Guard members are deploying to Kuwait for a ten-month mission.

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