Page 2 - Edwards AFB Desert Wings 2-26-16

2 Desert Wings News
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150 Edwards members welcomed home
by Rebecca Amber
Staff writer
From June to December of
2015, more than 150 service mem-
bers stationed at Edwards were
deployed. On Feb. 17, at the Air- than at any other point in our his-
man and Family Readiness Cen-
ter, those Airmen were thanked
for their service at a Deployment think some of the American public
Welcome Home event.
The event was held in conjunc-
tion with Hearts Apart as an op-
portunity for base leadership to
thank the service members and
their families. A barbecue dinner
was cooked by No Sauce Needed
BBQ with homemade side dishes
provided by the Key Spouses. A
volunteer photographer offered
free family portraits and the Ex-
Air Force photographs by Joseph Gocong
Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer, 412th Test Wing commander, thanked the
deployed service members that recently returned to Edwards at the
Deployment Welcome Home event at the Airman and Family Readiness
Center Feb. 17.
February 26, 2016
facebook.com/EdwardsDesertWings
change handed out gift bags to they’re in a less dangerous loca-
show their appreciation. tion, they’re still separated from
their families,” noted Spaits. “It’s
“October of 2001 (the year important that we continuously
of the 9/11 attacks) I think there WKDQNWKHPIRUWKHVDFUL¿FHVWKDW
ZHUHPRUH$PHULFDQÀDJVÀ\LQJ they make.”
tory. Everyone was very patriotic Spaits shared that in 2015 Air
in supporting the military and I Force Central Command complet-
ed 25,789 combat sorties deliv-
forgets the fact that we still have ering 29,661 weapons on target.
people deploying for six months They also completed more than
at a time supporting overseas op- 30,000 intelligence, surveillance
erations,” said Master Sgt. Damian and reconnaissance sorties, more
Spaits, AFRC Readiness NCO. than 20,000 tanker sorties and
nearly 17,000 airlift and airdrop
The deployed service members sorties. While the Edwards de-
were stationed at various locations: ployed members were only gone
Afghanistan, Djibouti, Kuwait, for half of the year, they supported
Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United either directly or indirectly many
Arab Emirates.
of those missions.
“If they’re in Afghanistan and Now the AFRC is prepar-
they see combat action, or if
ing to host a deployment
farewell event March 17.
The event will be more of an
information fair with helping
agencies from around base
present to answer military
member and spouse ques-
tions.
“Then we’ll be back into
the monthly battle rhythm of
more Hearts Apart events.”
Left: A “No sauce needed
BBQ” dinner was served at the
Deployment Welcome Home
event at the Airman and Family
Readiness Center Feb. 17.
Commander’s
Action Line
email: speak2cc@edwards.af.mil
The Commander’s Action Line gives all Airmen, re-
tirees, families and community members a direct link to
Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer, 412th Test Wing commander.
The Action Line can be used to express constructive
points of view on the policies and procedures of the
base; discuss safety and security issues; and address
problems, concerns, or suggestions after traditional
methods have been exhausted.
The Commander’s Action Line should not be the
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commanders.
Action Line queries may be submitted by sending an
e-mail to speak2cc@edwards.af.mil with Commander’s
Action Line as the subject heading or by calling (661)
277-7325. Action Line submissions must be written in
a courteous and professional tone, and must include a
name, an e-mail address or an alternative method of
contact. The requestor’s contact information will not be
published in compliance with Privacy Act restrictions.
Any messages received without contact information will
not be routed, so please be sure to provide some method
for communication.