Airman plans family reunion in Iraq

Published Sept. 5, 2008
By Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston
506th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs

KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq -- It's not uncommon for family members, especially reservists, to be deployed together to the same location. It is however, uncommon for a people to plan a family reunion during a deployment.

Senior Airman Benjamin Hathaway, a member of the 506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, who is deployed here from Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., had a plan to do just that when he volunteered for a six-month deployment in Iraq.

Airman Hathaway's mother, Tech. Sgt. Kelly Beeler, and her sister, Tech. Sgt. Kimberly McBride were deployed to the 506th ESFS from Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., about six months ago. They were about to be on their way out when kinfolk showed up.

"[Sergeant McBride] and I work at the same base, and we knew six months prior to our deployment we were coming over here," said Sergeant Beeler, who is a fire team leader for the 506th ESFS. "My son was stateside and I knew he was trying to come over too."

Since they were living in cities more than 1,100 miles apart, Sergeant Beeler had not seen her son for a while. Visiting family members from that distance can present a challenge.

"My son and I are able to see each other just like any other parents and [children] living in different cities," said Sergeant Beeler.

From the son's perspective, the long distance obstacle was seen a little differently. It had been too long since he had seen his mother.

"There's a thing called long distance. She's in Alabama - I'm in Colorado. It's not a very viable excuse. But, it's the only one I've got," said a laughing Airman Hathaway. "I figured it's been two years since I've seen her - I might as well go visit her in Iraq. So here I am."

Upon arriving at Kirkuk, there were plenty of official duties to keep Airman Hathaway busy, but mom was determined to find the time to spend with her son before her and Sergeant McBride left for home.

"[My son arrived] here seven days ago and we've been doing a lot of catching up," said Sergeant Beeler.

With his mother and aunt preparing to leave, Airman Hathaway, who calls Colorado Springs, Colo., his home, has the daunting task of getting squared away mentally and physically for what lies ahead of him for the next six months.

"I'm not quite settled in yet. I'm waiting for my mom's group to leave so I can get a bed," said a joking Airman Hathaway. "Mom's been here long enough. I get to take her place."

It didn't take him long to understand the importance of the position he will be assuming.

"We're taking care of everyone inside the installation so they can sleep at night and don't have to worry," said Hathaway, about his responsibilities. "We're out there [defending the base] while they're snoozing and dreaming about being home with their families."

Sergeant McBride, who's a radio operator for the 506th ESFS has proved her outlook on her 13 years in the military falls right in line with her family. She signed up for the reserves at the same time as her sister and they have been together ever since.

"I really love what I do. We all love our country. They can't ask me to do anything I'm not willing to do," Sergeant McBride said.

Sergeants McBride and Beeler have already decided about the future of their military careers. Both sergeants said they are staying in the military until they retire.

Sergeant Beeler, who's been in the Air Force for total of 18 years, both active duty and reserves, originally entered the service in 1977 to travel.

"It was a different world in '77. I got out after 15 years of active duty. I stayed out 11 years, and I missed it every moment," said Sergeant Beeler. "After 9/11 I was determined to come back in. I found out I wasn't too old for the reserves, and can still do the job. That's what motivated me to come back. I love my country, love what I do, love the job, and I am glad to be able to do my part."

The sisters also have seen changes in the military since they first enlisted in the '70s.

"When I first [entered the military], females were not allowed to do security. They could not fire the heavy weapons or any of that," said Sergeant Beeler. "It's such a different world now. We all wear the same uniform. That's how I see females being treated in the military - just another Airman in uniform being treated very equally."

Although encouraged to stay in the military by his family, Airman Hathaway is looking at his future through more of a wide-angled lens.

"One of the greatest things about the military is the endless possibilities. There's still so much I want to do," Airman Hathaway said. "I'm only 27. I still have a lot of time left to do whatever I want. I'd like to go to college full time and get a commission as an officer. It's a goal [I've had] since high school - to be a pilot. It's something I could see myself doing until retirement."

Sergeant Beeler said her heart goes out to the Iraqi people who want change.

"I see them struggling every day for things we take for granted in the United States," said Sergeant Beeler. "Some of them put there lives in danger. They have to cover their faces just to work for the city government as trash collectors. They're hard workers and they want this to work, and the children are just amazing. I think this country has a lot of hope."