Leavin' on a jet plane

Tech. Sgt. Shawn Elliot, 49th Civil Engineer Squadron, kisses his daughter goodbye before hopping on an airplane to Southwest Asia. More than 35 Holloman Airmen leave early Sept. 6 for a deployment in support of the War on Terror. These Airmen are a part of approximately 700 Airmen deploying in the upcoming Air and Space Expeditionary cycle. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Heather Stanton)

Leavin' on a jet plane

Airman 1st Class benjamin Gepford, 49th Civil Engineer Squadron, kisses his wife goodbye before hopping on an airplane to Southwest Asia. More than 35 Holloman Airmen leave early Sept. 6 for a deployment in support of the War on Terror. These Airmen are a part of approximately 700 Airmen deploying in the upcoming Air and Space Expeditionary cycle. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Heather Stanton)

Leavin' on a jet plane

Airman 1st Class Jake Kinslow, 49th Civil Engineer Squadron, kisses his girlfriend goodbye before hopping on an airplane to Southwest Asia. More than 35 Holloman Airmen leave early Sept. 6 for a deployment in support of the War on Terror. These Airmen are a part of approximately 700 Airmen deploying in the upcoming Air and Space Expeditionary cycle. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Heather Stanton)

Leaving on a jet plane, support War on Terror

Published Sept. 6, 2007
By Airman 1st Class Heather Stanton
49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- More than 35 Airmen took off from the Holloman flightline to support the War on Terror early Sept. 6.

These Airmen are some of the first of approximately 700 leaving Holloman as part of the Air and Space Expeditionary Force cycle.

Airmen from all career fields from utilities and fire fighters to vehicle operators and paralegals support operations throughout the world to help bring peace in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan.

Many of the Airmen were excited to be going to support the war.

"I can't wait to go," said Master Sgt. Paul Connelly, deploying first sergeant for the civil engineer squadron. "This is the bread and butter, where the rubber hits to road."

Most Airmen have already been on a number of delpoyments, while some new Airmen are embarking for the first time.

Some of the Airmen are coming right from technical training into this deployment because they are needed to support the mission, said Sergeant Connelly.

The hardest part of a deployment for most Airmen is being away from family and friends, said Senior Airman Will Clark, 49 CES structures.

"I'll keep in touch as much as possible, but know that I'll see them soon," he said.

Family and friends also have it tough with their loved ones being away for up to six months at a time.

"We will pray and write as much as we can," said Ms. Elsa Abila, mother of a deploying Airman. "I keep pictures and stay busy to have the time go by faster."

Wing leadership was on hand to say goodbye and wish the deploying Airmen good luck in supporting the war.

Holloman supports all its deploying Airmen and the families left behind by having programs available at the Airman and Family Readiness Center and showing support through special events like Thanks Team Holloman.