Lajes Airmen experience unique deployment

by Staff Sgt. Zachary Wolf
65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

11/26/2014 - LAJES FIELD, Azores, Portugal -- Even though personnel at Lajes are ready to deploy at a moment's notice, it is not something that happens regularly. Currently, seven members of the 65th Security Forces Squadron are deployed to Kosovo tasked to protect an intelligence hub.
According to Maj. Carlos Hernandez, 65th SFS commander, this is a unique opportunity and mission for the defenders from Lajes.

"With the many years of operating in Iraq and Afghanistan, Kosovo is a nice change of pace. The ability to safeguard such a critical infrastructure node in the Balkans, allows for uninterrupted support of operations in the U.S. European Command Area of Operation. It is special, because our Airmen were able to adapt to the mission seamlessly and stepped up to the challenge in short notice," said Hernandez.  "It is not every day that my personnel do this type of mission, not to say that it's out of their comfort zone, but it shows the versatility of our Security Forces and their dedication to the mission.  We at the 65th SFS are proud for the accomplishments of our Defenders during this deployment and we look forward to the day we have them home safe and sound."

While deployments are nothing new to the Air Force, it can be to the Airmen. Many of the Airmen in the 65th SFS are first term airmen who have not had experience deploying before. However, this unique deployment is giving some of those airmen the experience.

Tech. Sgt. Andrew Williams, 65th Air Base Wing Inspector General wing self assessment program manager and team lead for this deployment, said that this is the first deployment for five of the seven members and they are handling it very well. Not only is it the first deployment for some, but it is also the first time away from family and friends during the holidays.

"This is my first deployment, but not my first time away during the holidays," said Senior Airman Kaleigh Kennard, 65th SFS patrolman. "After spending the past two Christmas' away from my family, it is just another day at work. Most of us are used to working holidays since we're Security Forces; it really doesn't bother me anymore."

There are different ways service members cope during deployments, especially during the holiday season. Some play video games while others hang out with friends to help the time pass.

"The gym time is a big one," Williams said about ways they cope with the deployment. "All seven of us are having a great time; we have meshed together to become one big family. That helps because you have people that you are close to, people you can talk to and people you can relate to."

Working in security forces, the defense of the base or infrastructure never stops and that means someone will be working on the holidays. It doesn't matter whether it is in a deployed location or at a home station, security forces defenders are on the job 24/7.

While these seven Defenders may know what it is like to be working during the holidays, that won't stop them from having plans while they are away.

"We all just want to relax and enjoy each other's presence, whether we are attempting to cook a meal with the scraps we have here, or just hanging out," Williams said. "We have some Christmas trees and decorations, so those will be going up the moment Thanksgiving is over. We plan on watching Senior Airman Kennard's favorite movie, 'A Christmas Story,' all day on Christmas."

As the holidays approach, the Defenders have a message to share to everyone at Lajes, "Have a happy holidays, have fun, keep your nose clean and take life's little things and enjoy them."