Keesler Prepares for Possibile Deployment to Middle East

Recent polls show a majority of Americans support military action in Iraq and Syria, but Obama’s decision on whether to take military action comes after his promise in this year’s State of the Union Address to “not send our troops into harm’s way unless it’s truly necessary.”

President Obama has utilized air strikes in Yemen and Pakistan against extremist groups in the past, but has not yet attacked Syria. Regardless of Obama’s decision Wednesday night, military bases across the nation are preparing.

Brigadier General Patrick Higby, Commander of Keesler Air Force Base, says, “No matter who the adversary is, it could be a different adversary six months or six years from now. Our job is to make sure that our airmen, that we put into the operational Air Force from Keesler Air Force Base, are ready to fight and execute our Commander in Chief’s position.”

Military commanders like Brig. Gen. Higby know that especially in the last 10 to 15 years, a variety of extremist groups in several unstable countries have killed hundreds of civilians and caused major headaches for the U.S.