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Washington National Guard unit set to deploy to Middle East


CAMP MURRAY, WA – After supporting the Presidential Inauguration earlier this year in Washington, D.C., more than 40 citizen-airmen from the 242nd Combat Communications Squadron (CBCS) will deploy to the Middle East and Africa in support of on-going operations.

“I’m incredibly proud of the men and women in the 242nd, and consider myself lucky to lead a phenomenal group of citizen-soldiers and airmen who are willing to answer the call during war and peace, at home and abroad,” said Maj Gen Bret Daugherty, the state’s adjutant general and commander of the Washington National Guard. “They’re the backbone of our safety and security, willing to sacrifice time away from loved ones to support a mission to bring hope, freedom and ultimately peace to people around the world.”

Members of the 242nd CBCS based on Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. can rapidly deploy, operate and maintain command and control, communications and computer systems from anywhere in the world. This is the largest mobilization in the unit’s history.

During the 2015 wildfires, the unit utilized the Joint Incident Site Communications Capability (JISCC), providing critical communication support in remote areas of the state for incident commanders and first responders.

Questions can be directed to the Washington National Guard public affairs office at: joseph.f.siemandel.mil@mail.mil or by phone at (253) 512-8989.

The citizen-soldiers and airmen of the Washington Military Department are dedicated to the mission of safeguarding lives and property in Washington state.