Supporting the fight and breaking records Published March 30, 2017 By Tech. Sgt. Kenneth McCann 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs Office GREAT FALLS, Mont. -- Air National Guardsmen from the 120th Airlift Wing departed for home in March following a four-month deployment at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. Two C-130 Hercules aircraft assigned to the 120th Airlift Wing of the Montana Air National Guard return with personnel from a deployment to Southwest Asia March 3, 2017. Photo Details / Download Hi-Res During their deployment, the Airmen were assigned to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing where they successfully delivered cargo downrange at a record breaking pace in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, the coalition mission aimed at defeating ISIS. Their mission while deployed was flying and maintaining multiple C-130H Hercules aircraft. Some of the records they broke included the most hours flown hours since October 2012 and most passengers moved in recorded history from their location. This was accomplished by a team of citizen Airmen working tirelessly to complete the mission. The flying missions often brought the aircraft to rough environments. This resulted in a need for constant upkeep of the C-130’s. Two C-130 Hercules aircraft assigned to the 120th Airlift Wing of the Montana Air National Guard return with personnel from a deployment to Southwest Asia March 3, 2017. Photo Details / Download Hi-Res In order to keep the C-130 mission fully functional and off the ground, knowledgeable maintenance Airmen worked day and night to identify and fix potential issues. This team also achieved their unit’s best mission completion rate since 2015. This was accomplished through close integration between the aircrew and the aircraft maintenance unit. Pilots recognized the importance of working alongside these maintainers. The Guardsmen all expressed pride in the accomplishments they achieved and the records they broke through their hard work. A C-130 Hercules aircraft assigned to the 120th Airlift Wing of the Montana Air National Guard returns with personnel from a deployment to Southwest Asia March 3, 2017. Photo Details / Download Hi-Res “One that sticks out the best is our hours flown,” said Tech. Sgt. Taylor Thoroughman, 386th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, deployed from the 120th Airlift Wing. “Not only are we not breaking the aircraft, but when they do break we are getting them back fully mission capable within the allotted time they give us.” These Airmen will go back home knowing they did their part in sending ammunition, food, personnel and other necessary cargo downrange in the fight against ISIS. “That is the most rewarding thing,” said Thoroughman.