Peterson C-130 reservists to celebrate demobilization Published Nov. 20, 2006 By Tech. Sgt. Tim Taylor 302nd Airlift Wing PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The 302nd Airlift Wing here is ready for a break. After spending more than a year supporting the Global War on Terrorism, members of the Air Force Reserve Command wing and their families will celebrate their demobilization Dec. 2. The deployments to Southwest Asia in support of U.S. Central Command operations, which began in August 2005, are completed. Now, the wing will kick back and bask in what Col. James J. Muscatell Jr., 302nd AW commander, calls a victory celebration. "Our maintenance and operations folks put a lot of time and effort into the numerous missions we flew during our deployments to Southwest Asia and it showed in all our successes," said Colonel Muscatell. "However, it also took the dedication and support of every member of the wing who stayed home, as well as countless sacrifices by family members and friends of our reservists. This celebration is for each and every individual who had a hand in this mobilization." Staff Sgt. Rodolfo "Rocky" Ramirez, 302nd Maintenance Squadron pneudraulic systems technician, is one of many wing members who deployed to Southwest Asia more than once. He agrees the people back home deserve to be recognized as well. "I think they played a huge role because they were the ones who kept our heads level while we were deployed," he said. "I think it would be great, but only if we could have everybody here." Getting as many people here as possible proved to be the biggest obstacle. The wing attempted to hold the celebration Oct. 4, but the logistics of getting people and aircraft back home and in place at the same time proved too challenging. Wing officials estimate 1,200 people will attend the celebration. (AFRC News Service)