Dobbins reservists return from six-month deployment

by Senior Airman Elizabeth Van Patten
94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

9/6/2013 - DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- More than half a dozen reservists were welcomed home by family, friends and fellow Airmen Sept. 3.

Members of the 94th Security Forces Squadron returned from a six-month deployment to Southwest Asia, during which they supported Operation Enduring Freedom.

"Welcome back!" said Timothy Martz, 94th SFS commander. "Our Airmen have returned home from serving their country. I am very proud of our team. They left with honor and returned with honor. Thank you for going over there and doing it right. As a commander, nothing is better than to have everyone come home safe. Thank you."

The "Road Dawgs" served a critical role in the defense of their assigned bases. Some Airmen, like Tech. Sgt. Michael Chambers were forward deployed to other bases.

"That was my first time being forward deployed," said Chambers. "We set up a base that had never been set up there before. So, working with 47 other Airmen from other bases was awesome experience for me."

Chambers was the team leader for the deployed 94th SFS Airmen. However, when he forward deployed, newly promoted Tech. Sgt. Daunte Saloy was selected as the new team leader.

"This was a great group that went," said Saloy. "We had several of our Airmen took on leadership roles within the deployed base's community. Deployed Airmen starting the base Honor Guard, completed Airman Leadership School, become officers in the charitable organization 'Cops for Kids', and intramural sports, for example."

All in all, the Airmen are glad to be back home and plan to utilize the Yellow Ribbon Program.

For more information of the Yellow Ribbon Program, please contact Capt. Travis Shepard, 94th Airlift Wing Yellow Ribbon coordinator, at 678-655-2701.

The returning Airmen extended their heartfelt thanks to the 94th SFS key spouse, Lauren Ozwald, 94th information security specialist, who was recently selected as the 2013 94th AW Spouse of the Year.

"You hear all the time when people say they're going to keep in touch," said Saloy. "You actually did it. You kept in touch with our families, and you worked with the commander to keep in touch with us. We received packages, emails, and calls. You went above and beyond to help us. We truly appreciate everything you did for us."