WTOC, Savannah, Georgia, news, weather and sports | Air Guardsmen Wrapping Up Long Rotation
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SAVANNAH, GA--Personnel with the 165th Airlift Wing of the Georgia Air Guard are deploying--again--this weekend, for what's expected to be their last deployment for the next 19 months. It's the end of a long rotation.
While they won't be home for Christmas this year, they're proud of the work they're doing for our country.
Capt. Stacy Watson said goodbye to his wife, Gloria, before his fifth deployment. Although he'll see her early next year, this goodbye is a little tougher.
"I hate to miss Christmas, but this is actually my first Christmas away from home," he said. "I'll get over there and relieve some of my comrades and get them over here safe."
Leaving is also difficult for another reason. Gloria Watson is expecting their first child.
"We'll be okay," she said. "When he gets back, he'll be back in time for us to have an appointment for another ultrasound, so we're excited about that."
Members of the 165th have spent a lot of time in C-130s. Since April 2003, they've made more than 25 rotations for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Maj. Dan Daniels, at the controls of the C-130, has deployed eight times. As a single man, he volunteered for this trip so those with families could spend Christmas at home. While he's looking forward to more time stateside, he's staying focused on the mission.
"There are still a lot of people over there, so you want to support them and be part of it," he said.
When it was time to start the engines, fellow Guard members sent them off with a salute. The mission will only last a few weeks, but it's dangerous and demanding. Air crews and maintenance workers work 12 hours a day, seven days a week, keeping the plane in the air to drop supplies to troops.
"With the weather getting bad over there, there's a lot of snow, so air drop missions become very important because we can get stuff to guys in the hills," said incoming squadron commander Hal Davis.
And they look forward to the rewards of a job done well.
"I'm going with a good group of folks and hopefully, we'll come back safe and happy and be ready for some of that leftover Christmas turkey," said Capt. Watson.
More crews with the 165th will leave Sunday. They're expected to return in mid-January.
Reported by: Liz Flynn, lflynn@wtoc.com
