A Utah Air National Guard squadron that has been instrumental in the fight against drug-smuggling is being deactivated.
The unit is the 106th Air Control Squadron, which was organized as a mobile radar unit in 1971. In the succeeding 24 years, it has participated in joint operations with the U.S. Border Patrol, seeking to halt illegal drug importation.The unit has also been involved in drug interception efforts in the Caribbean region and in several countries in Central and South America, said Capt. Cory Lyman, public affairs officer for the Air National Guard.
In addition, the unit has trained overseas in preparation for wartime responsibilities. The deactivation results from the general scaling-down of military units.
Many of the squadron's 120 members have been reassigned to a sister unit. The rest will have 24 months to find new positions. "These members will be aided by the sister unit in finding new jobs in the Utah Air National Guard," said Lyman.
A deactivation ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at the 106th/190th Building at the Utah Air National Guard Base, 2200 W. 800 North. Major Wayne E. Lee, the unit's commander, invited past members of the unit and the public to attend.