Milwaukee-based Security Forces Airmen Prepare for Deployment

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ryan Kuntze
  • 128th Air Refueling Wing
MILWAUKEE --  Seventeen Airmen assigned to the 128th Air Refueling Wing Security Forces Squadron departed here to attend combat skills training at Fort Dix, NJ, on Wednesday, June 23, 2010.

The Airmen received a send-off from their families, Wing senior leadership officials and other security forces team members at Sijan Hall prior to boarding a bus.

"I'm proud of them for being willing to go again," said Maj. Glenn Evenson, the 128 ARW security forces commander.

Evenson's comment underlines the volunteer status of the soon-to-deploy team members.

Security forces team members are able to sign up for deployments, rather being ordered to go overseas, said Master Sgt. Mark Warner, the 128 SFS training manager.

"This is what we do," Warner said, evidencing the pride team members have in their roles in the Middle East.

The 128 ARW family support office is prepared to help the family members who stay behind while their loved ones go overseas.

"It's a challenging time for families," said Elaine Schachelmayer, the Airman and Family Program manager. "I just want to remind [the families] that we're here. We'll walk the walk with them."

The 128 ARW chaplain's office also expressed its support.

"It's a great honor for all of us to support [the deploying team members]," said Lt. Col. Phillip Boeve, a chaplain with the 128 ARW.

The security forces team members will spend approximately one month at Fort Dix to complete their combat skills training prior to deploying overseas.

CST is a mandated program for all service members, and is designed to prepare them for deployments throughout the world by reinforcing war fighting skills, teaching battlefield first aid techniques and honing the necessary attributes for enduring a lengthy stay in hostile environments.