As the United States continues its international war on terrorism, the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna has been called on to support the effort in history-making fashion.

Last week, 238 Air Force Reservists from the 910th Airlift Wing were placed on active duty. A similar number of reservists were activated in February. The wing's active total is now approximately 500 airmen, the largest single activation in the station's history.

Aircrew members in the 773rd Airlift Squadron, one of two C-130 airlift squadrons assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing, along with aircraft maintenance reservists and support personnel received the activation orders that are good for one year.

"Aircraft C-130s are in high demand in other parts of the world," said Sgt. Maj. Bryan Ripple, superintendent of public affairs at the 910th Airlift Wing.

"The reservists are also skilled in some areas active duty are not, including night vision. There are some places that is very useful right now."

Ripple said the airmen will receive ancillary, chemical warfare and first-aid training over the next few weeks.

"At this time we don't know where they are going," Ripple said, "but they did get the call for one year."

The reservists are also working on getting their appropriate paperwork squared away, which includes adjusting their pay scale from reserve to active duty and making sure their families have proper military medical coverage while they are away.

"These people are proud to serve their country," Ripple said. "Many people still serve in the reserves for the pride of their country. They're not getting rich doing this."

Most of the airmen of the 910th Airlift Wing are from northern Ohio and western Pennsylvania, but people are assigned there from all over the country. The military picks up the tab for traveling to training locations on weekends.

In wartime, the primary purpose of the 910th Airlift Wing is to fly aircraft into combat zones to deliver personnel and cargo by airdrop and air-land techniques.