as in afghanistan, the air national guard contributed significant airlift capability to operation iraqi freedom. thirteen of ang's 25 airlift units participated, including 72 of 124 air force c-130s. among their missions, air national guard c-130 crews airlifted elements of the 82d airborne division and the 3rd marine expeditionary force. those crews also flew one of the first day/night airlift missions into an iraqi air base and delivered the first humanitarian supplies into baghdad international airport. during operation iraqi freedom's first six months, air national guard c-130 crews airlifted 22,000 tons of cargo, 47,000 passengers, and flew 8,600 sorties in 21,000 hours.