PHOTOS: National Guard Heads to Afghanistan

Approximately 300 members of the Maryland Air National Guard departed early Friday morning from their base in Middle River to support ongoing combat operations in Afghanistan.

Maryland National Guard Lt. Jennifer Donnelly said most of the 175th Wing's Maintenance/Operations Group, which includes air crews and ground support personnel, will spend between a 90 to 180-day rotation at Bagram Airfield to "provide close air support to NATO ground forces."

She added that nearly 100 additional members will be deploying later this week.

"I think everybody is familiar with what's going on and the events over
there, and I think we're at a very critical juncture in the fight against
al-Qaida. I think what you're going to see from this deployment is crucial in the ultimate success in the fight that's ongoing over there," Col. Kevin Campbell, 175th Operations Group commander, said in a statement.