Airmen deploy in support of CENTCOM operations

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Hailey Staker
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  More than 350 Airmen bid farewell to their family, friends and fellow Airmen Jan. 20 as they prepared to deploy to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel and Operation Inherent Resolve.

Aircrews, maintenance and support personnel from Ellsworth will be providing operational support to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing during their deployment, helping ensure multirole airpower in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

"As our Airmen head out the door to join the team of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who are currently forward deployed in defense of our freedom, we are extremely thankful for the Black Hills community and their continued support," said Col. Kevin Kennedy, 28th Bomb Wing commander.

While operating in support of OFS, Ellsworth aviators will provide combatant commanders critical air presence, precision strike and surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, while Airmen in a variety of non-aviation roles will perform a wide range of sortie generation and mission assurance duties.

"Today the 34th Bomb Squadron and its affiliated maintenance personnel are deploying to Southwest Asia in support of Operations Freedom's Sentinel and Inherent Resolve," said Capt. Jonathan Vogel, 34th Bomb Squadron B-1 instructor pilot. "[For training] you're looking at an extensive cycle where these guys have spent months training specifically for the scenarios we're looking to become involved in and hours of personal and tactical study, as well as flying training sorties we've executed in the last six to nine months."

Vogel added that having a day-to-day interaction with maintenance personnel allows the squadron to generate the number of training flights needed to become successful while downrange.

Just as this deployment is one of many for some Airmen, it is the first for others like Staff Sgt. Robert Reichensperger, 28th Maintenance Squadron aircraft fuel systems mechanic.

"I've been tasked five times to deploy, all of them falling off at the last minute, so it's bittersweet to be deploying today," Reichensperger said. "I'm a little worried about my family but they have a support system here."

Senior Airman Justin Alfonsi, 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron combat oriented supply organization technician, added that he is anxious, but ready to get there so he can return to the Black Hills community in the summer.

"I've waited a long time to deploy and I'm really nervous, but I hope to gain life experience, especially traveling to another country," Alfonsi said. "I'd also like to thank the Black Hills community for their support of the military."

Ellsworth deployers will be taking the baton from the 9th Bomb Squadron, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, who have been deployed since the summer of 2014.

"The men and women of the 28th Bomb Wing are keenly focused on readiness and ensuring we are prepared for this mission," Kennedy said. "I have no doubt that we are prepared to deliver expeditionary combat power for our nation."