(62nd AW PA) - The 4th Airlift Squadron deployed July 25 in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, New Dawn, Odyssey Dawn and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

More than 90 Airmen from the 62nd Airlift Wing's 4th AS departed for a 60-day deployment to the Middle East. They are accompanied by Airmen from the 446th AW and others from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. The Airmen will take over operations of the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron.

"It's a great privilege and honor to be able to command the men and women of the 817th EAS in combat," said Lt. Col. Jason Ginn, 817th EAS commander. "We have assembled a great team of Airmen from Air Force Reserve Command, Pacific Air Forces, the Air National Guard and the 62nd Airlift Wing to execute the 817th EAS's mission; this mission is what we train for day in and day out, and now we get the opportunity to accomplish it in the deployed environment.

"We expect to be very busy over the next 60 days, but I know this total force team looks forward to the challenge and will do a fantastic job," he added. "Most importantly, we thank our friends and families for their support and sacrifice."

The unit will operate out of two bases, managing and flying missions concentrated in and around Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. They are replacing the 8th Airlift Squadron, which returned home Monday.

As the 817th EAS, the Airmen's mission is to provide global strategic airlift, airdrop, aeromedical evacuation and humanitarian relief, to create an air bridge for personnel, equipment and supplies throughout the assigned areas of responsibility.

The 62nd AW's four active-duty flying squadrons share responsibility for the deployed squadron and rotate operating the 817th EAS continuously. The deployments allow Air Mobility Command to consistently position assets closer to the action.