Tinker security forces reservists deploy to Iraq

Published Jan. 17, 2008
By Lt. Col. Rich Curry
507th Air Refueling Wing

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- About 40 security forces Airmen from Air Force Reserve Command's 507th Air Refueling Wing left here Jan. 17 for Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq, to support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The reservists went on active duty Nov. 29 to prepare for the deployment.

In December they traveled to Camp Swift near Bastrop, Texas, where they received 16 days of training tailored to meet the challenges they may face while in Iraq. They will remain overseas a minimum of 179 days.

"We are very proud of our security forces members and wish them the best," said Col. Jeffery R. Glass, 507th ARW commander. "Roughly last spring, we received an initial notification that they might be tapped to deploy to the Southwest Asia. They've been planning and preparing for that possibility ever since."

Maj. Robert Baird, 507th Security Force Squadron commander, said his people are well trained and prepared to do their jobs.

"I have the greatest confidence in them," he said.

While the reservists are deployed, the wing's Airmen and Family Readiness Office will contact their families every week to provide support.

"We have a full-time reservist here to provide for our family support operation," said Colonel Glass. "We take care of our people ... and look forward to the time they finally come back home." (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)