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380AEW Article

Hawaii Air National Guard team completes deployment at Southwest Asia base

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Spanning across nearly every facet of the 380th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron, nine Airmen deployed from the Hawaii Air National Guard supported morale, welfare, recreation and fitness operations for more than four months for the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing at a non-disclosed base here.

The team, who includes Master Sgt. Greg Ramos, Tech. Sgts. Johnette Chun, Arthur Plateros and Bobby Ramos, Staff Sgts. Justin Suga and Gavin Ramos, Senior Airmen Justin Bayudan and Priscilla Llanos, and Airman 1st Class Ryan Ang, deployed from the 154th Force Support Squadron at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

The Hawaii team are like many Guardsmen supporting the Air National Guard's federal mission. According to the National Guard Bureau, that mission is to maintain well-trained, well-equipped units available for prompt mobilization during war and provide assistance during national emergencies (such as natural disasters or civil disturbances).

During peacetime, the combat-ready units and support units are assigned to most Air Force major commands to carry out missions compatible with training, mobilization readiness, humanitarian and contingency operations such as for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

The Air National Guard provides almost half of the Air Force's tactical airlift support, combat communications functions, aeromedical evacuations and aerial refueling. In addition, the Air National Guard has total responsibility for air defense of the entire United States.

All of the New Jersey team members are services Airmen. In the 380th EFSS, services support programs range a myriad of areas and each of the New Jersey Air National Guard team members support any one of them. According to the official Air Force job description for the 3M0X1 career field, services Airmen manage and direct services programs, operations and retail operations. They supervise and work in appropriated fund food service and lodging activities, recreation, fitness and sports programs, linen exchange operations, mortuary affairs programs, honor guard teams, and services readiness programs.

Master Sgt. Greg Ramos said being on the team and on this deployment has been a great experience.

"We came here as nine Guardsmen and we leave as one team," Sergeant Ramos said. "We knew when we deployed to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing that we would have to come together to make the mission successful. I think we did that in our time here."

In supporting the 380th AEW, the nine Hawaii Airmen supported the morale and welfare of more than 1,900 deployed personnel who in turn support operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

"We have all known each other for a long time," Sergeant Ramos said. "We only three people on this team who had not deployed before and they did great work. I'm also glad that what we trained for back home to prepare for this deployment came to fruition in their work while deployed. On deployment, I believe the new deployers learned all about the 'why' they joined the Air National Guard in the first place."

Sergeants Greg and Gavin Ramos are natives of Kapolei, Hawaii. Sergeant Chun is a native of Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii. Sergeant Plateros is a native of Pearl City, Hawaii. Sergeant Bobby Ramos is a native of Waipahu, Hawaii. Sergeant Suga is a native of Millilani, Hawaii. Airman Bayudan is a native of Waipahu, Hawaii. Airman Llanos is a native of Wahiawa, Hawaii, and Airman Ang is a native of Kalihi, Hawaii.

The 380th AEW is home to the KC-10 Extender, U-2 Dragon Lady, E-3 Sentry and RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft. The wing is comprised of five groups and 18 squadrons and the wing's deployed mission includes air refueling, air battle management, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia.