Some return to normalcy after holidays

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Timothy Loveland
  • 17th Training Wing Security Forces Squadron
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas-- --  On Jan. 4, Team Goodfellow geared up for normal day-to-day activities after a two week period of joyful holiday activates and visits with family and friends. As we return to Goodfellow's great mission and each of us returns to a sense of normalcy, let us not forget those who are deployed and cannot enjoy the sweet life of normalcy.

From the last count, Goodfellow has more than 111 personnel from 39 career fields deployed to 26 locations worldwide. Hopefully Jan. 4, was an opportunity to look back on what sacrifices these 111 individuals made for us and their families. In fact, you would find that Goodfellow is normal on many aspects, but not normal on others.

Initially we all miss deployed members when they depart to areas of operations, but unless you are a direct family member, we as a military organization press on to the things closer to home or mission. Sometimes we don't realize they are gone until someone mentions that a member is at the airport. Don't feel bad, we all are guilty. We get so involved in our everyday lives, sometimes we just "forget". The phrase "out of sight, out of mind" probably best fits this category. While we plan our everyday activities and celebrate the past year's holidays, there are members not able to enjoy this time with family and friends.

The 17th Security Forces Squadron has the largest deployment taskings on Goodfellow. A quarter of the unit is usually gone at any given time, thus requiring the Goodfellow community to utilize the augmentation program. A team of 11 Goodfellow defenders assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, due back later this month, had the unique distinction of missing three major American Holidays while defending rugged terrain with the largest airfield in Afghanistan and keeping infiltrators out of a 27 kilometer perimeter fence. They deployed shortly before Independence Day, continuing on through Thanksgiving and Christmas. Of course this is hard for the members themselves, but it is also extremely hard on the family members left behind.

Staff Sgt Jaime Wright, assigned to the 17th Medical Group, is the wife of Technical Sgt Chris Wright who is the team lead on this 11 person team. For seven months she has felt the full brunt of this deployment. While Sergeant Wright was deployed, she had the dual task of taking care of a small toddler while continuing her demanding career at the medical group. Balancing unit recalls, wing exercises and unforeseen squadron events with set hours of base and local daycare providers is extremely difficult especially as a single parent.

Communication is also a challenge when internet cuts out intermittently during the rare moments that the Wrights have to reconnect.

Additionally, another 10 person team deployed from security forces recently, shared a similar distinction. As they attended their Regional Training at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada in preparation for their deployment to Iraq, they couldn't share the Thanksgiving holiday with their loved ones. Then after a short return to Goodfellow, they departed for their area of operation Dec. 21, thus missing Christmas as well. If all things play out, they might be able to return home by Independence Day; however with the political debates on the return of forces, their stay may be extended a little longer.

As we start missing our deployed members, normal activities continue on.

Unfortunately things won't get easier for Goodfellow. Deployments will still happen, short notice taskings will come, and Team Goodfellow will rise to the occasion and "answer the call" as always. Numerous events throughout the year will happen such as change of commands for the wing, groups and squadrons, unit compliance inspection preparation, Air Force Ball, Veterans Day Parade, open house, student Exodus and countless other events. Nevertheless, even though we consider this "normal ops", we must remember that as these events come forward, think about putting the same emphasis and focus on our deploying and returning personnel.

Without a flying mission, Goodfellow has its own uniqueness. The normal eight-to-five-day perspective is an accepted routine around the installation, because everything is so routine (yes, even deployments). Then when out of normal or abnormal events occur, everyone gravitates or adapts to the "new" situation. Deployments should take the same emphasis, because even though they may seem routine, they are out of the ordinary from a flying mission. Goodfellow does indeed take on the same hardships many other larger bases take on. Therefore Goodfellow, we are not so normal after all.