LRS Airmen deploy to Afghanistan

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Phil Ventura
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Six Airmen from the 49th Logistics Readiness Squadron's Vehicle Operations Flight deployed to Afghanistan May 12 to support the Army by driving and operating gun trucks in convoys there. 

Before arriving in theater the Airmen are reporting to Camp Bullis, San Antonio, for advanced training prior to their six-month deployment. 

While in San Antonio, they will meet up with two senior enlisted leaders from their flight who are serving as the team's lead and reported ahead of them for training May 9, bringing the total number of deployed Airmen from the 49 LRS Vehicle Operations Flight to eight. 

For most of the Airmen, this marks their first deployment. 

"I'm excited to do the job, but will miss my friends," said Airman 1st Class Keri Jo Hyde, 49 LRS vehicle operator. 

The departing Airmen represent a significant portion of the flight's 36 Airmen. 

"It won't be easy without them here," said 2nd Lt. Tracy Gilmore, the flight's officer in charge, "But they're actually out there fighting the war and that's important." 

The squadron's first sergeant was on hand to wish the Airmen well before they left the base for the airport Saturday. 

"I'm proud of them, we've done everything we can to prepare them for this," said Senior Master Sgt. Terry Whitworth. "Based on the history of those we've sent out, these folks are going to do great things and come back better, stronger, prouder and be better Airmen."