News>86th APS Reservists display selfless service by extending deployment
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Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Garrelts, 728th Air Mobility Squadron ramp supervisor, places luggage on a conveyor belt Sept. 6, 2011, at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. Garrelts is currently deployed here from the 86th Aerial Port Squadron, McChord Field, Wash., and volunteered to extend his tour at Incirlik another six months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Anthony Sanchelli)
Air Force Senior Airman Daniel Henderson secures cargo Sept. 6, 2011 at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. Henderson is currently deployed here from the 86th Aerial Port Squadron, McChord Field, Wash., and volunteered to extend his tour at Incirlik and additional six months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Clayton Lenhardt)
Air Force Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Cunanan hauls cargo Sept. 6, 2011 at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. Cunanan is currently deployed here from the 86th Aerial Port Squadron, McChord Field, Wash., and volunteered to extend his tour at Incirlik six months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Clayton Lenhardt)
Air Force Staff Sgt. Daniel Wheeler, 728th Air Mobility Squadron, moves a pallet with a crowbar to straighten it out for a smoother transition to the K-loader, Sept. 6, 2011 at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. Wheeler is currently deployed here from the 86th Aerial Port Squadron, McChord Field, Wash., and volunteered to extend his tour at Incirlik by six months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Clayton Lenhardt)
Air Force Senior Airman Eric Braun, 728th Air Mobility Squadron air transportation technician, offloads a stroller from an aircraft onto a conveyor belt Sept. 6, 2011, at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. Braun is currently deployed here from the 86th Aerial Port Squadron, McChord Field, Wash., and volunteered to extend his tour at Incirlik by six months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Anthony Sanchelli)
Air Force Master Sgt. Alfredo Navarro checks a database at the Air Transport Operations Center Sept. 6, 2011 at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. Navarro is currently deployed here from the 86th Aerial Port Squadron, McChord Field, Wash., and volunteered to extend his tour at Incirlik for an additional six months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Clayton Lenhardt)
by Master Sgt. Jake Chappelle
446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
9/9/2011 - MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. -- Six reservists from the 86th Aerial Port Squadron are extending their deployments at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey after already helping to move 24,000 tons of cargo, 15,500 passengers, 13,000 pallets, and loading about 450 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.
Master Sgt. Alfredo Navarro, Tech. Sgt. John Garrelts, Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Cunanan, Staff Sgt. Daniel Wheeler, Senior Airman Eric Braun, and Senior Airman Daniel Henderson deployed in April to support the 728th Air Mobility Squadron, Incirlik AB and instead of coming home, they have added another six months to their current tours of duty.
"I want to be able to contribute in any possible way to get the job done and bring our troops home," said Navarro, 86th APS security manager. "I miss home and my family, but I'm doing my best to serve my country and make them proud."
The University Place resident serves as the night duty officer for the Air Terminal Operation Center at Incirlik AB.
"I volunteered to extend because I enjoy the mission here," said Navarro.
For Tech. Sgt. John Garrelts, an ATOC senior controller with 86th APS, the deployment was about selfless service.
"It was a tough decision," said the father of three. "But a chance to help the new individuals coming into my section have a smoother transition, as well as letting someone else remain home with their family through the holiday season were my reasons for extending."
Senior Airman Daniel Henderson, 86th APS ramp journeyman, lengthened his deployment for continuity; not to mention being part of something larger than him.
"I know the job and the people here," said the Spokane resident. "Plus, I am proud to be part of something that is going to help in the world and not just my backyard. I signed up knowing that I would be away from home a lot and I would do it all over again."
Navarro uses his experience for personal growth that he can bring back home.
"The job I'm doing is a new experience for me," said Navarro, who works for the Social Security Administration in his other life as a civilian. "I have never worked in ATOC before, so it is a new skill that I can bring home with me. I also want to get more technical and leadership experience."
Helping ensure cargo gets where it needs to be in a timely manner is what helps keep Garrelts going.
"I get the chance to send life-saving equipment to people who need it and allow them to return home safely," said the Springfield, Ore., resident. "It makes me feel good and full of pride that I'm allowed to help my country."
Garrelts credits a strong supporting cast and an internal drive on assisting his fulfillment of the additional deployment time.
"Without the support of my family and home unit, none of this would be possible," he said. "It is an honor to serve."
