R.I. Air National Guard deploys 31 members to Mideast, some for 4th time

CRANSTON, R.I. (AP) -- About 30 members of the Rhode Island Air National Guard have left for Qatar, Afghanistan and Iraq.

The 31 airmen from the 143rd Airlift Wing departed early this morning from the Quonset Air National Guard Base in North Kingstown. They will be stationed overseas for about four months.

A guard spokesman says some members of the group are leaving for their fourth rotation in the Middle East. For others, it will be their first.

From WPRI 12