Aerial Port Members Return From Two Year Deployment Published Feb. 28, 2006 By Kari Tilton 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- A small group of 67th Aerial Port Squadron members returned home in mid-December after completing a two-year deployment in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Originally, about 40 wing APS personnel deployed after being mobilized in January 2004. The mobilization orders called for them to be away for one year, but eight squadron members volunteered to stay on duty for an additional year. “These men truly exemplify ‘service before self,’ said Lt. Col. Mark Pantone, 67th Aerial Port Squadron commander. “They were willing to put their lives on hold for two years and go wherever and whenever asked. I am extremely grateful for their service and for their safe return.” During the two-year deployment the aerial porters were stationed at various locations throughout Iraq as well as other key airlift hubs including Al Uedid AB, Qatar, Rhein Mein AB, Germany and Charleston AFB, S.C. Tech. Sgt. Jason Burger, one of the 67th APS deployment volunteers, says he signed on for the additional 12 months in part because of the extra money he would earn, but more so because he wanted to serve his country. “I stayed on because I wanted to feel like I did my part,” he said. This sentiment was echoed by another aerial port volunteer from the unit. “We all realized there was a big deficiency in the (active duty) aerial port E-5 to E-9 range and the Reserve (aerial port) force brought a critical level of experience to many of the areas we deployed,” said XXX Alan Smith. “We trained many, many young active duty aerial port Airmen. It was really rewarding,” he said. The experience was challenging at times the men said, mostly because they missed their families. Both say they felt lucky, however, because they were able to come home on leave a couple of times during the long deployment. “I appreciate the sacrifice their families made to support these men while they were deployed for two years,” Colonel Pantone said. “You can never get back the birthdays, anniversaries, and other special events that are missed, and we owe (our deployed members and their families) a deep sense of gratitude for their service and sacrifice.” The eight 67th APS members returned to Utah in mid-December. Just in time to be home for the holidays. Sergeant Burger and Sergeant Smith said they hadn’t spent Christmas with their families since 2003. When asked what he did for Christmas, Sergeant Burger chuckled say he was very busy. “(My wife) waited until I got back and we went out do all the shopping for the gifts,” Sergeant Burger said. “We put up the tree ... we decorated ... I put lights on the house. It was crazy around here.” Sergeant Smith said he and his family spent time relaxing and catching upon missed time. “We had plans to go lots of places but decided instead to just enjoy each other’s company,” Sergeant Smith said. Aerial port squadron personnel are responsible for building and loading pallets of supplies and equipment onto military transport aircraft. They also specialize in processing military passengers who are traveling in support of exercises and contingency operations around the world.