Dyess deploys B-1B Lancers, Airmen to AFCENT

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rebecca Van Syoc
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
Airmen assigned to the 7th Bomb Wing deployed with B-1B Lancer aircraft to Southwest Asia in late August and early September.

While there, the B-1s, aircrews and maintenance Airmen will perform a variety of tasks to ensure peace and stability remain in that region while working under U.S. Air Forces Central Command.

For some of the Airmen, it will be their first deployment to the area of responsibility, and for others it will be their first deployment entirely.

“There are a lot of new Airmen going out the door with the rest of us,” said Tech. Sgt. Zachary Barnes, 7th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief. “It’s going to be nice to see them using their skills and learning how to get the mission done while deployed.”

All deploying Airmen receive various types of training to ensure they are prepared for the environment, but sometimes the best preparation is past experience with the various challenges they’ll face.

“Our Airmen are incredibly resilient,” said Master Sgt. Joseph Siler, 7th AMXS production superintendent. “They are some of the busiest and hardest workers, so I expect to see the exact same from them while we’re deployed.”

Airmen who have several years of experience with the mission and who have deployed in the area before, such as Siler, have confidence their Airmen will accomplish great things while deployed.

“I am proud of our Airmen, they all have a lot of responsibility on their shoulders and I know that they will succeed,” Siler said.