Deploying to Africa

August 23, 2022 4:06 pm • Last Updated: August 23, 2022 8:48 pm

By Sean D. Elliot
Director of Photography

Tech Sgt. Jessie Mccomas, right, hugs his friend Peyton O’Connor, left, before deploying from the Bradley Air National Guard Base, in East Granby, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022. More than 100 members of the Connecticut National Guard 103rd Airlift Wing were deployed for up to six months overseas in conjunction with the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. (Daniel Passapera/Special to The Day)

More than 100 members of the Connecticut National Guard 103rd Airlift Wing deploy with C-130H3 aircraft from Bradley Air National Guard Base, in East Granby, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022. Family and friends gathered to say their goodbyes as the unit was deployed overseas for up to six months in conjunction with the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. (Daniel Passapera/Special to The Day)

Spectators watch as more than 100 members of the Connecticut National Guard 103rd Airlift Wing prepare to deploy on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, from Bradley Air National Guard Base, in East Granby. Family and friends gathered to say their goodbyes as the unit was deployed overseas for up to six months in conjunction with the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. (Daniel Passapera/Special to The Day)

Crowds of friends, family, and members of the Connecticut National Guard wave goodbye to more than 100 members of the 103rd Airlift Wing as they deploy with C-130H3 aircraft from Bradley Air National Guard Base, in East Granby, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022. The unit was deployed overseas for up to six months in conjunction with the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. (Daniel Passapera/Special to The Day)

Connecticut National Guard 103rd Airlift Wing members watch as preparations begin to deploy them with C-130H3 aircraft, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, at Bradley Air National Guard Base, in East Granby. Family and friends gathered to say their goodbyes as the unit was deployed overseas for up to six months in conjunction with the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. (Daniel Passapera/Special to The Day)

At the break of a fog-shrouded dawn, members of the Connecticut Air National Guard’s 103rd Airlift Wing departed Bradley Airport Tuesday morning for up to six months in the Horn of Africa.

The 103rd Operations Group, 103rd Maintenance Group, 103rd Medical Group and 103rd Mission Support Group, all subordinate units of the 103rd Airlift Wing, deployed with several of the unit’s C-130 aircraft.

The units are deploying for up to six months in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), whose stated mission is “to conduct operations to enhance partner nation capacity, promote regional stability, dissuade conflict, and protect U.S. and coalition interests.”

Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.

STORIES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU