BANGOR – Maine Air National Guard officials presented the Bangor International Airport and the Maine Troop Greeters distinguished service plaques Sunday morning.

The guardsmen recognized the airport’s continued support of the Bangor-based 101st Air Refueling Wing’s 24-hour military mission. The Air Guard honored the troop greeters for welcoming more than 500,000 service members who passed through BIA since 2003.

The morning celebration was followed by the early afternoon departure of a fellow airman, who will be deployed for approximately four months, according to Maj. Debbie Kelley, community relations manager for the Air Guard. Thirteen members of the 265th Combat Communications Squadron, based in South Portland, left for Iraq at 3 p.m. from the Portland International Jetport and will join with guardsmen already overseas. Other guardsmen will join the group next week, bringing the total number deployed in the squadron to 27.

The 13 airmen who left Sunday made up the largest group to deploy together in the Air Guard.