Headed to Afghanistan before big speech

About 40 members of the Delaware Air National Guard are on their way to Afghanistan just before President Obama announces his plans for a new way forward in the war effort.

As President Obama gets ready to outline his plans for moving forward in Afghanistan, about 30 members of the Delaware Air National Guard are on their way to southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

President Obama will deliver a speech at West Point Tuesday night outlining his plans to pave the way for the U.S. to leave Afghanistan.  Monday, 30 Airmen from the Delaware Air National Guard started their trip to Afghanistan for a two-month deployment. Republican Congressman from Delaware Mike Castle expects the president to present a timeline for wrapping up the war effort.  He calls the President’s decision “vitally important.”

“I just hope this doesn’t fall into a Republican-Democrat type thing.  I think when you’re fighting wars and you’re making decisions like this I think it’s far more important than being a Republican or being a Democrat.  It’s a question of how America’s going to impose itself, and hopefully in this case, bring some sort of stability and freedom.”

A group of about 75 airmen from Delaware who are currently stationed in Afghanistan will return over the next couple of weeks.