Dyess set to deploy large group of Airmen

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. A.C. Eggman
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Airmen and several B-1 aircraft from the 7th Bomb Wing began deploying to Southwest Asia today in support of Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. 

The Airmen who left this morning are the first of several groups, that are scheduled to leave in upcoming weeks. More than 295 Dyess Airmen from the 9th Bomb Squadron, and 7th Operations Support Squadron, as well as the 7th Maintenance, 7th Operations and 7th Medical Groups will join their co-workers for a six-month rotation in the area of responsibility (AOR). 

"I think everybody is extremely excited to go and do America's business," said 9th Bomb Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Jen Fullmer, who will lead the contingent of aircrews and support Airmen. "This is what we train for. My squadron is 100 percent prepared and ready to go." 

While in the AOR, Dyess Airmen will support missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Common to the Air Force, Dyess Airmen are deploying as part of an Air Expeditionary Force rotation. Bases are responsible for deploying forces for four or six months to locations throughout the world. 

Currently, the base has more than 460 Airmen deployed. This group will bring the total number of Dyess Airmen deployed to more than 745. Next month, approximately 200 more Airmen are expected to deploy. 

"Our squadron and all the agencies that support our squadron in theater will be supporting the ground forces in Iraq and Afghanistan as they are trying to rebuild those countries and secure freedom for those people," said Colonel Fullmer. 

This will be Colonel Fullmer's fifth deployment into the AOR but her first deployment as the commander. 

"It's almost second nature (to deploy) for me now," she said. "I'm in the capacity of leading my squadron this time. It's an honor for me. I couldn't be more proud to lead this dedicated team of professionals." 

While it may be second nature to the Commander to deploy, 1st Lt. Ryan Medelez of the 7th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron will be deploying for the first time. 

"I'm very excited about the challenges and the opportunities," said the Assistant Officer in Charge of the aircraft maintenance unit. "I'm excited to go with a great group." 

The aircraft maintenance group is in charge of keeping the B-1 flying, he said. "The B-1 is a very popular airframe in the AOR. We'll be in charge of making sure our B-1s are always ready to go and waiting for when the commander calls and wants a B-1 in the air to drop bombs." 

The lieutenant said there are a lot of Airmen on this rotation that are deploying for the first time, while some of the Airmen are going on their third and fourth deployments. 

"They will miss their families, but they know they have a job to do," said Lieutenant Medelez. 

In addition to Airmen assigned to the 7th Bomb Wing, the 317th Airlift Group (C-130s) will be deploying nearly 150 Airmen to the AOR. These Airmen will replace those currently deployed after an overlap to spin-up the newcomers. Overall, in the next few months, Dyess will have as many as 1,000 of its Airmen deployed.