317th Airlift Wing deploys, supports USAFE, AFRICOM

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Mercedes Porter
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  
Airmen from the 317th Airlift Wing deployed to Germany and Africa from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, Jan. 7-8, 2019.

The deployed Airmen will be using skills acquired during training, exercises and past experiences to ensure the real-world missions downrange are a success.

“In a lot of case, especially in the environment which our Airmen are deploying to, they are going to be flying into a lot of remote fields that have no other means of getting any supplies,” said Senior Master Sgt. Jonathan Carco, 40th Airlift Squadron superintendent. “So, mobility airlift becomes extremely important in those instances because that’s the only way they’re getting their beans, bullets and bandages.”

During the deployments, the Airmen will generate intra-theater airlift sorties through airdrop operations and tactical airlift within their respective area of operations.

“The great part about tactical airlift here at Dyess is that it’s a team sport,” said Lt. Col. Timothy Fritz, 39th AS commander. “Because of that it makes working together and cooperating, whether it’s airplanes, training, no matter what the situation is, we work together as a team to get the job done.”

While Airmen are deployed, their families are left behind to continue their daily lives. This can cause stress on both the deployed members and the families, but luckily Dyess has many resources available to help relieve that stress.

“Deployments are a team effort,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Allen, 40th Airlift Squadron commander. “There can be lots of stressors when families are separated. My advice is to keep in communication. Also, utilize your Key Spouses, the amazing programs and outlets available at Dyess and within the Abilene community. What makes the Squadron, and the military, so special is the ‘band of brothers’ culture. It is always a team effort and never do it alone!”