MILITARY & VETERANS AFFAIRS
NEWS RELEASE

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kryn P. Westhoven at 609-530-6950 office

609-847-2215 cell

WHO/WHAT: The 177th Fighter Wing will hold a Hometown Heroes Salute honoring more than 450 of New Jersey's Citizen-Airmen who have deployed since Sept. 11, 2001 in support of Operations' Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Noble Eagle.

 

WHERE: 177th Fighter Wing, 400 Langley Road, Egg Harbor Township, N.J., 08234.

 

WHEN: Sunday, June 13 at 10 A.M.

 

IMPORTANT!

 

For security purposes, media will need to pre-register with the Public Affairs Office in order to gain entrance to the 177th Fighter Wing. Contact Public Affairs at (609) 645-6005, (609) 645-6259 or at (609) 847-2215 (cell).

 

Media will need to be at the base NO LATER THAN 9 a.m.

 

Background: The Hometown Heroes Salute recognizes the military and family members of the 177th Fighter Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard. The Airmen recognized in this ceremony will include those who have deployed for more than 30 consecutive days in support of Operations' Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Noble Eagle and other peacekeeping operations across the globe since Sept. 11, 2001. The purpose of this program is to celebrate and honor the significant contributions of Airmen, their families, communities and those special supporters to the mission of the United States Air Force and the Air National Guard. As a result, it is one of the ANG's largest recognition endeavors in history. By National Guard Bureau estimates, there are more than 70,000 current or former Citizen-Airmen nationwide who have deployed for 30 consecutive days or more since Sept. 11, 2001.

 

Directions to the 177th Fighter Wing: Atlantic City expressway East to Exit 12. Left on Wrangleboro Road/County Route 575. Right at the next traffic light (approximately 1.5 miles). Continue for 1.5 miles until you see a sign with an F-16 on it for the 177th Fighter Wing. Turn left into the main gate. Security will direct you once you have entered the installation.