BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Nebraska Air National Guardsmen deployed at Bagram and Kandahar airfields, Afghanistan, met senior military leadership from their home state during base visits Jan. 8-11.
Air Force Maj. Gen. Daryl L. Bohac, the adjutant general of the Nebraska National Guard, and Chief Master Sgt. Tryone Bingham, command chief master sergeant of the Nebraska Air National Guard, visited Guardsmen from their state to show their support and learn about the contributions their personnel were making to operations in Afghanistan.
“This is a great opportunity to see our Airmen apply their craft and skill where it matters most,” Bohac said. “We value what they’re doing for our nation and are proud of what they bring to the fight.”
Approximately 100 Air National Guardsmen from the 155th Air Refueling Wing in Lincoln, Nebraska, are currently deployed to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing at Kandahar and Bagram in various squadrons including security forces, civil engineering and aircraft maintenance. The leaders toured the bases and met with several Airmen to discuss their deployment experiences and career aspirations.
“It’s great to see all the work our Airmen are doing to support the mission and contribute to our democracy,” Bingham said.
Capt. Adam Cassidy, currently assigned to the 451st Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Kandahar, said meeting with his Guard leadership while deployed was an incredible opportunity for him and his fellow Nebraska Guardsmen, who appreciated the show of support.
“The fact that they (Bohac and Bingham) were able to work this visit into their tremendously busy schedules shows our maintainers and our operations team that they’re committed to us and our success, not only for our stateside uniquely Guard mission, but also our overseas federal mission,” Cassidy said. “Because of visits like this one, our Airmen understand that we have our leaders’ support no matter where we are.”
Master Sgt. Jon Quissell, currently assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron at Bagram, said the visit allowed Nebraska Guardsmen to get first-hand information from top leadership and showcase the skills and training they acquired during their deployment.
“It meant a lot to the Airmen to be able to speak with the Nebraska National Guard leadership on a more one-on-one basis,” Quissell said. “The general and the chief were also able to see that their defenders are maintaining high morale, and that they had been properly trained for their mission here.”
Bohac and Bingham said they were impressed by their Airmen’s positive representation of their state and the National Guard as a whole.
“We’re proud of the leadership, commitment, professionalism and dedication our Airmen have displayed here,” Bingham said.
Additionally, they said they are grateful for all Guard, Reserve and active duty Airmen across the wing who contribute to mission success.
“The men and women of the 455th are doing amazing things, and we’re very appreciative of the wing and all their support,” Bohac said.
Appointed by the governor, Bohac, the senior military National Guard officer for Nebraska, serves on the governor’s staff and directs the Nebraska Military Department and the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency. He commands the Nebraska Army and Air National Guard and is responsible for formulating, developing and coordinating policies, programs and plans affecting Nebraska’s 4,500 Guard personnel.
Bingham advises the adjutant general, assistant adjutant general (air) and other key personnel on matters influencing the health, morale and welfare of Nebraska Air National Guard enlisted Airmen and their families.
The 455th Air Expeditionary Wing is the Air Force’s premier counterterrorism wing in Afghanistan and supports Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and NATO’s Resolute Support mission. Headquartered at Bagram, the wing has geographically separated units at Kandahar and Jalalabad airfields in Afghanistan and provides decisive airpower throughout the region.