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Trio of deployed Airmen get holiday surprise

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Mike Andriacco
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan --  Three Airmen deployed here from the 110th Fighter Wing at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, Mich., received a welcome holiday message recently. 

Staff Sergeants Bryce Moore, Kevin Rynbrandt and James Liston received word on Dec. 21 that they all were selected for active-duty pilot training. 

"Our supervisor must have been pretty confident we would get accepted," said Sergeant Rynbrandt. "He purchased cigars ahead of time to celebrate." 

For the three selectees, it was the culmination of nearly three years of preparation. 

"I starting working on my package in college, and decided toward the end to apply for an active-duty position with Sergeant Rynbrandt and Sergeant Liston," said Sergeant Moore.
The Airmen had a tense few months after submitting their applications for consideration last September. 

"We were really on the edge of our seats," said Sergeant Liston. "The original results date was supposed to be Nov. 27, but that got pushed back to Dec. 15. We never heard about another extension and were checking the [board results] website six or seven times a day," he added. 

"We were banking on hearing by the 21st or else we would have probably had to wait until after the holidays," added Sergeant Moore. 

After their deployment and training, the three Airmen have a good idea of what their future holds - and are excited about it. 

"I'd like fly an F-15 before moving on to some of the newer aircraft like the F-22," said Sergeant Moore. 

"A-10s for me," said Sergeant Rynbrandt. 

"I would like to fly any fighter," said Sergeant Liston. 

For the three Airmen, the news has made deployment away from loved ones over the holidays a little easier. 

"I think I speak for all three of us when I say it was the best Christmas present we've ever gotten," said Sergeant Moore.