Holloman celebrates deploying Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Heather Stanton
  • 49th Fighter WIng Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Holloman celebrated deploying Airmen and their families with food and fun at the Warrior concert and cookout Aug. 10 at Steinhoff Park. 

Approximately 700 Airmen will be deploying from Holloman in the next Air and Space Expeditionary Force rotation. 

The original idea for the celebration was to be a chapel cookout for Airmen, said Chaplain (Capt.) Olga Westfall, 49th Fighter Wing chaplain and Airman's Ministry chaplain. However, the idea grew bigger to incorporate the vision of wing leadership to have a send-off party for deploying Airmen. 

"All IDS (integrated delivery system) agencies were represented at the event," said Chaplain Westfall. "It helped the families of the deploying Airmen know what is available to them while their loved ones serve their country." 

On top of providing information to the people being left behind, the event served the purpose of letting the deploying Airmen know they have a place in Team Holloman's heart. 

"The concert and cook out served many purposes," said Chaplain Westfall. "it provided information to the families as to what is available on base to meet their needs while their loved ones are gone; boosted the morale of our Airmen; provided an opportunity for all of us to thank them for their sacrifices and service; and brought all of us together in a joyful atmosphere of celebration, food and fun. 

"We want them (deploying Airmen) to know they do an important job protecting our country's freedom and safety. We want them to know we honor them and their sacrifice." 

The event featured a concert with more than 10 performers made of active-duty Airmen and dependents, a jumping castle, a jousting arena, face painting and a dunking booth, said the chaplain. 

Miss New Mexico Casey Messer also stopped by to support Holloman's deploying Airmen. She helped raise money for the Airman and Family Readiness Center by participating as a dunkee at the dunking booth. 

"Friday's celebration was a great way to thank those troops that have already deployed, remember those that are currently deployed and send off those troops leaving in the upcoming deployment cycle," said Mrs. Brigid Ventura, spouse of a deploying Airman. "Additionally, it was a great way to show support to all the families at Holloman."