317th AG deploys to Africa, SW Asia

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Carolyn Viss
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Approximately 200 members of the 317th Airlift Group departed from Dyess June 15 for a four-month deployment to support operations in the Horn of Africa and Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom .

Both the 40th Airlift Squadron and 317th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron are C-130 units that deliver basic supplies and equipment to Air Force and sister-service troops in the areas of responsibility.

"Today, we have men and women leaving, from the newest Airman who's deploying for the first time and leaving a wife and newborn to the crusty older guy who's been on five or six deployments," said Lt. Col. Mike Zick, 40th AS commander. "Each time is unique and difficult in its own way. It's heart-wrenching to those who stay behind." He said the first mission is to support the servicemembers on the ground the best they possibly can.

"The C-130 is the ‘U-Haul' of the sky," Colonel Zick said. "It delivers … any time, any place, in both hostile and friendly territories. The men and women who are going are trained and motivated. They know the mission and have from the very beginning." It's the excellent leadership they're under and the training they've received that carries them through."

"Ultimately, it's the individuals that make it happen," he said. First Lieutenant Ryan Miller, 40th AS, left with the group on his second deployment. There's a major difference this time, from the first time he deployed: he's now engaged. "The hardest thing will be to be away from friends and family," he said

Many deployers have families they're leaving behind to go and support the war. Staff Sgt. Francesca Yerian, 39th AS aircrew life support, is deploying for the fourth time, and leaving four children. As a single mom, she said it gets tough to deploy so often, but she said she's proud to serve.

"I come from a military family, and many of my relatives have fought in many wars for decades," she said. "I'm hoping they have an easier time this deployment than they did last time."