Deploying Airmen serve with pride
Louisiana Air Guardsmen recognized during deployment ceremony
By Tech. Sgt. Sienna M. Schehr
159th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
BELLE CHASSE, La. The Louisiana Air National Guard recognized approximately 40 Airmen from the 214th Engineering Installation Squadron who proudly stood amongst their friends and family members during a deployment ceremony held at Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base, New Orleans, April 2.
The Airmen will deploy in numerous iterations to Qatar and Afghanistan starting in early April through May in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and will support joint expeditionary missions for the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force.
The men and women of 214th Engineering Installation Squadron are no strangers to serving their country, said Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau, the adjutant general of the LANG. Today the men and women of the 214th remind us all of what selfless service is and what great American patriots they are.
Lt. Col. Alan J. Tucker, commander of the 214th from Gretna, praised his Airmen for answering their nations call.
I cant say enough about how proud I am of our outstanding men and women who have stepped up to meet this very important challenge, said Tucker. They truly embody the spirit of the Airmens creed and it is an honor to serve with and for them.
The 214th EIS deploying officer in charge, Capt. Todd F. Hubbell smiled as he delivered encouraging words to the Airmen and their families.
As your troop commander I am truly honored and humbled to lead such an enthusiastic and talented group of professionals, said Hubbell, from Thibodaux.
Staff Sgt. Brandon Anderson and his wife, Bridget, from Harahan, walked away from the ceremony with a sense of appreciation.
Todays ceremony was so nice, acknowledged Bridget. They really did a great job of recognizing the service members and their families.
This is Andersons second deployment but the first for his wife. Both are excited about having Skype available to help their four- month-old son, Porter, communicate with his deployed dad.
My fridge is full of magnets of all the family support numbers, said Bridget, in reference to the large group of support personnel that are ready to assist her during the deployment.
During the six-month deployment, the 214th will be responsible for the mobilization and deployment of resources and supporting assets to accomplish the engineering, installation, reconstruction, and replacement of communication systems, facilities and air traffic control and landing systems.