Deployers out of sight this Christmas, not out of mind

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Dipta Kazi
  • 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  This holiday season, Staff Sgt. Arnell Carmichael, 18th LRS, has a lot to be thankful for. He just completed a deployment in which he spent most of his time in harm's way outside the safe confines of U.S. bases. Having been on three separate deployments in the past 4 years, this year he'll finally be home for Christmas with his wife and two children. Similarly, Airman 1st Class Kyle Eisenbarth is grateful this holiday season to be home spending time close to his wife and son. Not so, however, for the 77 other Airmen the 18th LRS has deployed, which represent about 15% of Kadena's deployed population this holiday season.

Sergeant Carmichael, Airman Eisenbarth and thousands of other Airmen risk not only their lives but also sacrifice their comfort, security and safety in order to support U.S. military operations around the world. Many work as special operators, joint tactical air controllers, security forces and explosive ordnance disposal technicians just to name a few. These brave Airmen often work outside the protected walls of U.S. bases, putting their lives at greater risk. A lesser known group of Airmen who face similarly dangerous risks are logisticians.

Kadena's 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron, the largest in the Air Force, has Airmen deployed to 14 different locations around the world. Some of these Airmen are training and mentoring Afghan Army and police forces to have self-sufficient logistics systems, some are leading convoys carrying supplies and fuel through Iraq, while some are repairing vehicles in Iraq or searching and accounting for seven years of equipment deployed to Iraq.

Although many are rejoicing in the happiness that the season brings, many brave Americans, some of whom relieved us from our own tours "downrange", will not be as joyous this holiday season. First Lieutenant Michael Morand is currently deployed with the Army and International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) at the Joint Transportation Office in Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan. He says that he will miss his wife, Dana, more than anything. Lieutenant Morand is making the best of his deployment far from home, noting that "there's a great deal of camaraderie here" and he is sure "there will still be plenty of holiday cheer." While he and his teammates are working hard to accomplish their daily tasks overseas, Lieutenant Morand knows the mission is about to expand with more help on its way.

Following the announcement by President Barack Obama in early December, the Department of Defense began sending 30,000 additional American troops to Afghanistan to bolster the U.S. military forces already in place. Airman 1st Class Edward Sampson, a member of the 18th LRS Materiel Management Flight, is part of that surge and will train Afghan forces in support of the President's objectives. He graduated Dec. 15 as a certified "Combat Advisor" at Fort Polk, Louisiana, where Army instructors trained him on counterinsurgency tactics, foreign language, and military tactics to protect himself and his team as they work daily "outside the wire" with Afghan security forces. He will be in the warzone, having finished his training, before Christmas.

This holiday season let's remember our brothers and sisters who courageously continue to fight to preserve our shores. Many of them are serving in harm's way, far from family and friends, and unable to take part in the many traditions and celebrations we became accustomed to growing up. Although they may be out of sight, they are not out of mind and together we can provide the emotional and logistical support they need and deserve.