An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Dyess, Ellsworth deployed bomber units rotate

  • Published
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  More than 300 service members from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, deployed to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing here July 19 rotating with their counterparts from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.

Airmen from the 9th Bomb Squadron, 7th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 7th Munitions Squadron and 7th Operations Support Squadron are now part of an enduring team composed of more than 50 units here supporting ongoing operations in the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility.

According to the 9th BS's in-garrison commander, Lt. Col. Brian Dickenson, it took the whole team to get the jets up and on their way here.

"It takes a lot of work and it's a group effort that involves life support, Intel, maintainers, weapons and aircrews working as one in order to provide close air support to our troops on the ground," he said.

As Dyess Airmen prepped for deployment, Ellsworth Airmen eagerly awaited their return flight home.

"It is really a bittersweet time for the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron," said Lt. Col. Seth Graham, the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron commander. "We are excited to be going home to our friends and families, but at the same time will miss the great support we enjoyed from the Grand Slam Wing. We have had a phenomenal six-month deployment providing 24-hours of B-1B Lancer close air support every day to our troops on the ground. We leave here with our heads held high, proud of what we accomplished."

While members of the 9th BS have deployed numerous times in the last decade, there are always Airmen who are experiencing their first tour overseas.

Airman 1st Class Kevin Tagle, a 9th BS aviation resource manager, said he's excited and nervous at the same time.

"My dad is excited for me because he was prior military," Tagle said. "The rest of my family is pretty nervous about it, but I tell them I'm ready to go do my job."

For more seasoned Airmen with multiple deployments under their belt, they find themselves more prepared and more than happy to share their experiences with their fellow deployers.

"This is my second deployment," said Capt. Christian Hoover, a 9th BS pilot. "I feel more confident this time. I know what to expect and I want to help the first-timers. I tell them what to anticipate and what their daily routine might consist of, because it's obviously different from being at home station."

Throughout the years, Dyess and the 9th BS have sent many Airmen around the world to support the Air Force mission, but the expectations of them have never changed.

Dickenson said he has no doubt his Airmen will perform "with excellence" while supporting the 379th AEW's mission.

"These are the most professional and creditable Airmen out there," Dickenson said. "They will take the lethality of the B-1 to our enemies, in order to keep our fellow men and women in uniform safe."

[Editor's note: Airman 1st Class Damon Kasberg contributed to this localized article from the 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs. The original article may be found here: www.dyess.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123356838.]