Rep. Mako to answer the call of duty

A local politician will soon trade in his office suit for combat boots.

State Rep. Zach Mako, R-Lehigh/Northampton, announced recently that he will deploy to the Middle East this fall to help fight terrorism and secure international peace.

“I’m going to pick up the call to duty,” said Mako, 30, of Lehigh Township.

A combat veteran and U.S. Army helicopter pilot in the Pennsylvania National Guard, attached to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 104th Aviation Regiment, Fort Indiantown Gap, Mako received orders to support Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, where he will join more than 50 Army National Guard soldiers.

Mako said he expects to deploy in the fall and return next summer.

“I’m in the guard,” he said. “You don’t get to pick and choose what you do, especially in the military.”

Operation Freedom Sentinel is part of the Global War on Terrorism and is the official name for the mission succeeding Operation Enduring Freedom.

Mako enlisted in the Pennsylvania National Guard in January 2008 and has been a Chinook pilot since July 2011. He was deployed to Afghanistan in December 2012 for nine months as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

In 2016, he was selected to be an adviser to Estonia’s top military officials.

In 2017, he completed elite training as an Aviation Mission Survivability Officer.

While he won’t be in the office during his deployment, Mako said his veteran staff that will continue top-shelf service for residents of the 183rd Legislative District.

Mako was elected in 2016 to the 183rd seat vacated by former state Rep. Julie Harhart.

The 183rd District includes Washington Township and Slatington in Lehigh County, as well as Walnutport in Northampton County.