When duty calls: 128 ARW Airmen honored at deployment send-off ceremony

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Morgan Lipinski
  • 128th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
128th Air Refueling Wing, Milw. --  The 128th Air Refueling Wing honored deploying Airmen during a send-off ceremony held at General Mitchell Airfield in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Dec. 2, 2017.  

The send-off ceremony is a military tradition where deploying service members are recognized for stepping forward to serve their country and defend the U.S. constitution.

Approximately 70 Airmen with the 128 ARW will be deploying to various locations worldwide in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Freedom Sentinel, and the Pacific Command Theater Support Package. The Airmen will be deployed for multiple months working in a variety positions including theater security, operations, aircraft maintenance, logistics, and communications.  

For Senior Airman Anthony Parco, a client systems technician for the 128 ARW Communications Flight, this is his first military deployment. 

“Even though this is my first deployment, my mentors and sponsors have trained and prepared me to be ready for when I go overseas,” said Parco. “Because I’m deploying as a Senior Airman, I really want focus on developing my leadership skills and become even more experienced in my job. Of course, I will miss my family and friends, but this is what I signed up to do.”

Parco joined the military in the footsteps of his father, Master Sgt. Matthew Parco, the chief of information protection for the 128 ARW Security Forces Squadron.

“I’m proud that my son stepped up to go on this deployment,” said Parco. “I have deployed a number of times and know it takes courage to leave home and go overseas.  But I know he’s going to do well and come back an even better Airman.”

Airmen are not the only ones effected by deployments. The audience at the event was filled with parents, spouses, children, friends, civic leaders and employers.  These are the people who will take care of things on the home front while their military member serves overseas.

The 128th Community Council, American Legion, American Red Cross, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, and a Girl Scout troop from Burlington, Wisconsin were on hand at the event to provide resources and information to the deployers and their families.  

“Keeping the family members informed while their Airmen is deployed is an area that we are making improvements,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Friese, the chaplain of the 128 ARW. “We are going to hold a family member informational luncheon monthly to strengthen the connections between the support agencies, the 128 ARW and the deployed Airman’s family.” 

Governor of Wisconsin, Scott Walker, attended the send-off ceremony to deliver a message of encouragement to the deploying Airmen.

“You are the best of the best,” said Walker. “You’re well trained, well prepared, and well focused. You’re going to be dispersed in multiple theaters throughout the world and they’re going to look to you for your expertise, your skills, your courage, and your abilities. You are a part of a proud tradition from Wisconsin and we are proud of you.”

In addition to the 128th Air Refueling Wing’s deployment, the Wisconsin National Guard continues to play an active role in global security operations, fulfilling its role as the primary combat reserve of the Army and Air Force.

The 128th Air Control Squadron returned to Wisconsin Nov. 20 after a six-month deployment, but the 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation, based in Madison, Wisconsin, remains in Kuwait and Iraq after deploying last winter. Earlier in the month approximately 270 Airmen from the 115th Fighter Wing returned to Madison from a deployment to Korea. A group of more than 50 Airmen from the 128th Air Refueling Wing also deployed worldwide in support of global contingency operations in September. 

The Wisconsin National Guard has also been busy supporting missions in support of civil authorities as the nation’s first military responder in times of emergency. In September the Wisconsin National Guard deployed Soldiers and Airmen to Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to assist with hurricane recovery efforts, and Soldiers responded to flooding over the summer in Monroe County and Burlington, Wisconsin.