507th ARW Security Forces depart for Iraq

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Rich Curry
  • 507th Air Refueling Wing
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Approximately 40 Air Force Reserve Security Force members from the 507th Air Refueling Wing departed today for Kirkuk AB, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The reservists were activated November 29, 2007, to help them prepare for their pending deployment.

Last month, the reservists went to Camp Swift near Bastrop, Texas where the members received 16 days of professional training specifically tailored to the challenges they may face while in theater.

Once the reservists board their military transport here their mission will take them overseas for a minimum of 179 days.

"We are very proud of our security force members and wish them the best," said 507th Air Refueling Wing Commander Colonel Jeffery R. Glass. The colonel said the security forces had been planning and preparing for their deployment since last spring. "Roughly last spring, we received an initial notification that our security forces might be tapped to deploy to the Southwest Asia Theater. They've been planning and preparing for that possibility ever since."

Maj. Robert Baird, the 507th Security Force Squadron commander, also expressed his confidence in the deploying members. "Our people are very well trained and prepared to do their jobs. I have the greatest confidence in them."

The biggest disappointment for the Major Baird was that the tasking for this deployment did not include the commander. "I want to go with my Airmen," he said. "They already have a commander assigned there, so I wasn't able to go with them."

Major Baird had nothing but praise for the 507th when it came to helping provide for his personnel. "Whenever we needed to purchase equipment for our folks, Colonel Glass approved it." Even with receiving all the authorized equipment, Major Baird said many of the reservists spent several hundred dollars apiece in preparing for the deployment. "Our people received all the gear authorized, but many bought additional equipment they felt they might need - from special container packs to personal items. They are going to be there for a long time."

While the reservists are deployed, the 507th ARW Airman and Family Readiness Office will contact their families on a weekly basis to provide support. "We have a full-time reservist here to provide for our family support operation. We take care of our people," Colonel Glass said adding, "My wife, Kim, has volunteered to help make those phone calls. She is looking forward to helping out while the security forces are deployed."

"We'll all be praying for them while their deployed and looking forward to the time they finally come back home," Glass said.