SD National Guard Airmen deploy to South Korea

U.S. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota takes a minute to visit with U.S. Air Force Capt. Casey Minor, 175th Fighter Squadron pilot, and his family to thank them for their service after a mobilization ceremony held at Joe Foss Field, S.D., May 3, 2015. Minor will be among the almost 250 members of the South Dakota Air National Guard unit who are slated to deploy to South Korea in support of a rotational Theater Security Package. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Luke Olson)

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SD National Guard Airmen deploy to South Korea

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Derrick Burkhart, 114th Maintenance Squadron munitions controller, holds his daughter Arianna, before the start of a mobilization ceremony at Joe Foss Field, S.D., May 3, 2015. Burkhart is part of the almost 250 members of the South Dakota Air National Guard’s 114th Fighter Wing preparing to depart for a four month deployment to South Korea where they will support the United States' continual commitment to stability and security in the region. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Stewart)

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SD National Guard Airmen deploy to South Korea

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Todd M. Sheridan, 175th Fighter Squadron commander and detachment commander, accepted a South Dakota state flag from Maj. Gen. Tim Reisch, the adjutant general for the South Dakota National Guard, during a mobilization ceremony held at Joe Foss Field, S.D., May 3, 2015. The South Dakota Air National Guard’s 114th Fighter Wing is slated to deploy to South Korea and it is customary that the adjutant general present a state flag to the detachment commander in charge, which he will display at their deployed location. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Stewart)

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SD National Guard Airmen deploy to South Korea

Published May 7, 2015
By Staff Sgt. Luke Olson
114th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

JOE FOSS FIELD, S.D. -- Approximately 250 Airmen of the South Dakota Air National Guard's 114th Fighter Wing gathered with friends and family for a mobilization ceremony at Joe Foss Field, May 3.

The Airmen are deploying to South Korea in support of a rotational Theater Security Package to the region. Rotational TSPs allow the U.S. Air Force to maintain a significant presence within the Pacific Theater.

"It's time to deploy and our leadership is here and ready," said Col. Russ Walz, 114th commander. "Our mission is to support our nation's continued commitment to regional stability and security around the world."

This deployment will provide valuable training opportunities for the 114th and further develop relationships with international partners. While in South Korea, the Airmen will integrate with U.S. and the Republic of Korea Air Force members to fly daily training missions.

It is not only the unit members that contribute to the mission; it is also their families who make a sacrifice.

"To the families that are here today, we want to say thank you," said U.S. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota. "You also pay a great price and are part of the cost of freedom that all of us as a country have to pay."

The 114th will have the opportunity to fulfill the federal side of their two-fold mission: to deploy worldwide and execute directed tactical fighter sorties to destroy enemy forces, supplies, equipment, communications systems and installations with conventional weapons, or when directed by the governor to protect life and property, preserve peace, order and public safety.

"We can't forget that freedom has a cost," said Thune. "We have people who are willing to pay that cost and we as a country have to be there to support them."