Milwaukee team to support "Operation Unified Protector"

  • Published
  • By Capt. John P. Capra
  • 313th Air Expeditionary Wing
WESTERN EUROPE --  Col. Ted Metzgar, Commander 128th Air Refueling Wing and a number of his unit members and senior staff departed Milwaukee on June 10, 2011 in support of "Operation Unified Protector" in Western Europe.

The team was picked up in Milwaukee by the 190th Air Refueling Wing, Kansas Air National Guard on a KC-135 "Stratotanker" on their way to support the same mission.

Col. Metzgar assumed command of the 313th Air Expeditionary Wing from Brig. Gen. Roy E. Uptegraff, Commander of the 171st Air Refueling Wing, Pennsylvania Air National Guard on June 17, 2011.

The 313 AEW is providing air refueling to NATO aircraft enforcing the no-fly zone over Libya.

In addition, Col. Metzgar was asked to perform this duty by Air Mobility Command in April, his personal goal was to provide leadership opportunities for members of the 128 ARW.

128 ARW staff will support the alliance for approximately 90 days.

"This experience will provide them with valuable lessons for future command positions in the Wisconsin Air National Guard." said Col. Metzgar. "The 128 ARW will be in good hands when I depart after going through this field experience."