Airmen volunteer for deployment at holidays

Published Dec. 6, 2013
By Senior Airman Charles V. Rivezzo
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- It's nothing new for service members to be away from their loved ones during the holiday season, in fact, it has simply become the norm for many. However, that doesn't take away the hardships they face during a time when many Americans are surrounded by family, while they stand watch in a foreign land.

But for a handful of Reservists from the 945th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, it was their selfless choice to volunteer for a six-month deployment to Southwest Asia, with the hopes of providing a few active-duty Airmen the chance to spend their holidays in a more familiar place - home.

"I asked all of my team members and it was unanimous, we wanted to volunteer and help out our fellow active-duty wingmen," said Senior Master Sgt. Darren Thews, 5th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron C-17 Globemaster III production superintendent. "With the current rotations being every six months they would basically come back from a deployment, have six months off and get ready to deploy again.

"We wanted to give them a much needed break, so it was our turn to 'step up' and what a better time than over the holidays."

Currently deployed as part of the 5th EAMS, the mission is simple; they move the area of responsibility one plane at a time. Whether it's passengers, equipment, aircraft or things that go boom, these Airmen ensure the C-17 gets where it needs to be.

"Our mission over here is just like at home, except you pick the pace up tenfold," Thews said. "We are here to move as much cargo and troops down range as needed to fulfill the mission. There are many days that our team goes above and beyond to make the mission happen. It is not because they have to do it, it's because they want to."

Although the steady workflow does keep their minds focused on the mission on a daily basis, there are still moments when these Airmen feel the weight of being away for the holidays.

"The hardest thing is not being able to spend the time and share those special moments that come naturally during the holidays," said Master Sgt. Kizer Davidson, 5th EAMS. "What I miss most is Thanksgiving dinner, preparing the turkey for the smoker while my wife prepares all of the other trimmings and dishes. There is no better feeling than to sit down at the dinner table with my family laughing and looking around at my wife, children, and grandchildren's faces and realizing just how much God has blessed me."
For some in the group, this deployment marks their first further adding to the difficulties in new environment.

"For me, what makes it difficult is that I have four children and this is the first time I have been deployed," said Tech. Sgt. James Prescott, 5th EAMS. "My greatest challenge is not having that immediate support that comes from getting off work and returning to my family. Phone calls and Skype are awesome, but there's something to be said about getting off of a rough day at work and being able to feel the embrace of a little six year old who you can do no wrong by."

Nevertheless, the mission these deployed Airmen support is invaluable to mobility efforts in the region. To put it into perspective, the 5th EAMS on average gets approximately 30,000 to 35,000 passengers every month, with about 800 tons of cargo, a feat that couldn't be accomplished without the tireless efforts of those who put the birds in the air.

Furthermore, the experience and knowledge gained is just as vital to the continued development of the 945th AMXS Airmen.

"A deployment is extremely important if you take your service and job in the reserves seriously," said Senior Airman Jake Yturralde, 5th EAMS. "It shows your dedication and it will better yourself in your Air Force Specialty Code and also lot more in other AFSCs. It makes you a better, more well-rounded Airman."

For the Airmen from the 5th EAMS getting the mission done is the bottom line, staying true to their motto of, "moving the AOR, one plane at a time."