46th Aerial Port Squadron deployment

Reservists, assigned to the 512th Airlift Wing's aerial port squadron, process through a mobility line Sept. 27, 2012, on Dover Air Force Base, Del., in preparation for a six-month deployment to the Kyrgyz Republic. The 46th APS air transportation specialists will augment the airlift mission at the Transit Center at Manas in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Adrian Rowan)

46th Aerial Port Squadron deployment

Danny Gilseth, the 512th Airlift Wing’s senior logistics manager, issues Tech. Sgt. Yerkes Tecson, a canteen and web belt during a mobility line Sept. 27, 2012, on Dover Air Force Base, Del. Tecson will join a group of other Reserve aerial porters, from the 46th Aerial Port Squadron, for a six-month deployment to the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyz Republic. (U.S. Air Force photo/Adrian Rowan)

46th Aerial Port Squadron deployment

Representatives from 512th Airlift Wing agencies man a mobility line Sept. 27, 2012, on Dover Air Force Base, Del., to verify various medical and administrative requirements for a team of aerial porters, who are slated to deploy to the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyz Republic. Some of the items the Personnel Deployment Function checked for the 46th Aerial Port Squadron reservists included dog tags, wills and financial affairs. (U.S. Air Force photo/Adrian Rowan)

46th Aerial Port Squadron deployment

Reservists from the 512th Airlift Wing process through a mobility line Sept. 27, 2012, on Dover Air Force Base, Del., in preparation for their deployment to the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyz Republic. The Personnel Deployment Function ensured the team of aerial porters had required checklist items such as current weapons qualifications, training records and dog tags. (U.S. Air Force photo/Adrian Rowan)

46th Aerial Port Squadron deployment

Before deploying to the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyz Republic, Senior Airman Cassandra Love, a 46th Aerial Port Squadron reservist, processes through a mobility line Sept. 27, 2012, on Dover Air Force Base, Del. Love is one of several aerial porters, who will be deploying for six months in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Adrian Rowan)

Reserve aerial porters to deploy downrange

Published Sept. 27, 2012
By Master Sgt. Veronica Aceveda
512th AW Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- A group of 512th Airlift Wing reservists is scheduled to deploy this week to the Kyrgyz Republic in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The team of aerial porters, from the 46th Aerial Port Squadron, will serve a six-month rotation at the Transit Center at Manas, a transportation and logistics hub, which provides around-the-clock missions, including airlift of supplies and equipment and movement of coalition personnel.

"Rapid global mobility is a core function of the United States Air Force," said Col. Raymond A. Kozak, 512th Airlift Wing commander. "And, these aerial porters provide a critical link for that function."

The deployment process began yesterday, when reservists, from seven different states, reported to the base to out process.

Staff Sgt. Jacob Hildreth, an air transportation specialist, traveled nine hours to get here from Oxford, Mass. While Hildreth will be serving overseas, his wife is expected to deliver their first child in March.

"Since we knew we couldn't be together for the delivery, we wanted to share as many moments together as possible at the doctors' appointments, including finding out what we're having - a son."

This is the hardest part of my job, being apart from my wife; but, being in the military, it's one of those things you sign-on to do. The job itself is not difficult, because we continuously train, learning it so well that we're able to step right in."

This will be the second deployment for Hildreth, who has deployed to Iraq before; but, this will be the first time for Senior Airman Ashley Nolan, who's been a member of the 512th AW for about two years.

"I'm nervous; I have butterflies in my stomach, but I'm incredibly excited too," she said. "I never thought I would have joined the military, but I'm so glad I did. I have no regrets what so ever."

The 24-year-old Maryland resident, who's also an air transportation specialist, enlisted into the Air Force Reserve after her brother was killed in action in 2009. He was a Marine serving in Afghanistan.

"For me, I thought it was an honorable thing to do since my brother gave the ultimate sacrifice," she said. "I know he didn't die in vain, and I wanted to do my part in protecting the freedoms of our nation."

Like Nolan, most of the deployers volunteered for this mobilization, which will last through several major holidays and the presidential election.

During a mobility line today, Airmen received a briefing explaining how to cast an absentee vote, and various wing representatives verified medical and administrative requirements, such as wills and finances.

They're scheduled to leave the country Saturday to join the forces, who are actively engaged in worldwide missions.