Maryland National Guard To Deploy To Middle East This Fall

BALTIMORE (AP) -- The Maryland Air National Guard is preparing to make its first major deployment in the U.S.-led fight against the Islamic State group.

The Baltimore Sun reports that the Maryland National Guard is set to return to the Middle East this fall as part of Operation Inherent Resolve.

President Barack Obama has declined to put regular U.S. troops on the ground in Iraq and Syria, but the administration has for several months been involved in a bombing campaign designed to stop the terror group.

Maryland National Guard official wouldn't say how many troops they would deploy, when they would leave or where they will be based. But Col. Charles Kohler, a Guard spokesman, said such deployments usually last around six months.