My Squadron received the activation call...
Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2003 1:12 pm
I am a air transportation specialist on C130 Hercules planes stationed of the 440th Airlift Wing in Milwaukee. I have to go through BMT First, so that means (and cross my fingers) that I will not go over to the Middle East, but I'll have to see what happens after BMT (basics). I'll have to wait and see... As one of my friends put it (he's an army brat) 'Semper Gumby' (always flexible)
Bush's Iraq visit inspires reservists
300 from 440th Airlift to depart for Middle East
By DARRYL ENRIQUEZ
denriquez@journalsentinel.com
Last Updated: Nov. 29, 2003
The spirits of 300 local reservists preparing to depart for the Middle East this week were lifted by President Bush's surprise holiday visit to U.S. troops in Iraq, the commander of the 440th Airlift Wing said Saturday.
"It's awfully hard for our people to say 'I don't know if I'm up for this one' when the president finds time in his schedule and goes there," Col. Mike Smith said.
The reservists learned just before Thanksgiving that they were shipping out for as long as a year to support troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"The timing was less than ideal," Smith said of the call-up. "With that said, though, our folks had a pretty strong idea it was going to happen. It was more a question of when, not if."
The unit then learned of Bush visiting 600 members of the 1st Armored Division, the 82nd Airborne and other military units in Baghdad for Thanksgiving dinner. Bush spent 21/2 hours there and 20 more in the air for the round-trip flight, Smith said.
"I don't know if John Q. Public understands what it means to troops when something like that happens," he said. "It was a strong show of support."
It will be the unit's first large-scale deployment to either Iraq or Afghanistan, said Dennis Mehring, public relations director for the 440th, based at Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee.
In late 2001, the unit deployed 26 engineers and security forces in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and some later became involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Mehring said.
This time around, the heart of the base's operation - its pilots and some of its dozen C-130 Hercules cargo transports - will head to the troubled region.
That group just missed seeing action last spring, Smith said.
"We were only a phone call away in February and March," he said. "Sooner or later, we were going to get our chance."
Flight crews, aircraft maintenance workers and administrative staff will begin departing later this week. From an undisclosed location, they will transport troops and supplies in and out of Iraq and Afghanistan.
"We'll be moving people, supplies and equipment and keeping ground troops supplied with whatever their needs are," Smith said. "It's less hazardous in some instances to transport by air than by convoy."
They will relieve Air National Guard units that have been in the Middle East for more than six months.
On Friday, the reservists began processing paperwork, including medical and payroll records.
"It's been an heroic effort in just a few days," Smith said. "I think there probably aren't too many other wings that could mobilize their folks over Thanksgiving and get it done as fast as we have.
"It disrupted their Thanksgiving holidays. . . . They'll be giving up their Christmas so other military members can have a chance to spend Christmas at home."
Most of the 440th's 1,400 members are from southeastern Wisconsin, with a few living in other parts of the state.
Bush's Iraq visit inspires reservists
300 from 440th Airlift to depart for Middle East
By DARRYL ENRIQUEZ
denriquez@journalsentinel.com
Last Updated: Nov. 29, 2003
The spirits of 300 local reservists preparing to depart for the Middle East this week were lifted by President Bush's surprise holiday visit to U.S. troops in Iraq, the commander of the 440th Airlift Wing said Saturday.
"It's awfully hard for our people to say 'I don't know if I'm up for this one' when the president finds time in his schedule and goes there," Col. Mike Smith said.
The reservists learned just before Thanksgiving that they were shipping out for as long as a year to support troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"The timing was less than ideal," Smith said of the call-up. "With that said, though, our folks had a pretty strong idea it was going to happen. It was more a question of when, not if."
The unit then learned of Bush visiting 600 members of the 1st Armored Division, the 82nd Airborne and other military units in Baghdad for Thanksgiving dinner. Bush spent 21/2 hours there and 20 more in the air for the round-trip flight, Smith said.
"I don't know if John Q. Public understands what it means to troops when something like that happens," he said. "It was a strong show of support."
It will be the unit's first large-scale deployment to either Iraq or Afghanistan, said Dennis Mehring, public relations director for the 440th, based at Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee.
In late 2001, the unit deployed 26 engineers and security forces in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and some later became involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Mehring said.
This time around, the heart of the base's operation - its pilots and some of its dozen C-130 Hercules cargo transports - will head to the troubled region.
That group just missed seeing action last spring, Smith said.
"We were only a phone call away in February and March," he said. "Sooner or later, we were going to get our chance."
Flight crews, aircraft maintenance workers and administrative staff will begin departing later this week. From an undisclosed location, they will transport troops and supplies in and out of Iraq and Afghanistan.
"We'll be moving people, supplies and equipment and keeping ground troops supplied with whatever their needs are," Smith said. "It's less hazardous in some instances to transport by air than by convoy."
They will relieve Air National Guard units that have been in the Middle East for more than six months.
On Friday, the reservists began processing paperwork, including medical and payroll records.
"It's been an heroic effort in just a few days," Smith said. "I think there probably aren't too many other wings that could mobilize their folks over Thanksgiving and get it done as fast as we have.
"It disrupted their Thanksgiving holidays. . . . They'll be giving up their Christmas so other military members can have a chance to spend Christmas at home."
Most of the 440th's 1,400 members are from southeastern Wisconsin, with a few living in other parts of the state.
Just keep us informed as the time nears, I'll miss ya girl!!
