SC Guard Prepares for Deployment

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Eight South Carolina Army National Guard soldiers and aviators are in Fort Benning wrapping up preparations for a one-year deployment to Afghanistan.

National Guard spokesman Lt. Col. Les Carroll said Tuesday the aviators departed over the weekend for the Georgia military installation and will be based at Bagram Airfield in eastern Afghanistan.

Carroll said the unit is comprised of six warrant officer pilots and two noncommissioned officers. He says the pilots average about 20 years of flying experience each.

The unit flies the C-26 turboprop, a twin-engine aircraft designed to transport civilian and military leaders to outposts in the region. The aircraft carries a pilot, co-pilot, 19 passengers, and cargo.
  
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