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Serving through the season: Airman First Class John Alkire III

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Joseph Kapinos
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  This holiday season, it will be a sure bet that Airman First Class John Alkire will be manning his post and turret for the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing.

Of course, like other Airmen serving around the globe, he would rather be at home with his family, and not deployed halfway around the world.

"I have been married to my beautiful wife Rachel for two and a half years now, and we still haven't celebrated Christmas together. I would like to be able to have a Christmas tree, presents and spend time with the ones I love," said the West Terre Haute, Ind., native.

But this Airman understands the mission comes first. He has an extremely critical job of ensuring the unimpeded continuation of close air support and combat transport sorties on Bagram in support of Combined Joint Task Force 76 theater operations.

Airman Alkire is responsible for the security of the flightline, aircraft and Air Force personnel. He also participates in the Tactical Security Escort mission protecting convoys as a turret gunner when not serving on Fly Away Security Team missions. These missions are taken very seriously by the young Airman, having served only 20 months in the military.

"I ensure all personnel can sleep soundly throughout the night and are able to perform their day-to-day operations," said the 2005 West Vigo High School graduate.

Airman Alkire said he will miss kissing his wife under the mistletoe and being able to walk with her and their two dogs after a long day of celebrating, but he understands that his job takes commitment and dedication.

During the holidays, Airman Alkire will fill the long hours by spending time with the team he works with every day. Knowing that he can depend on the people he calls 'his family' will help him overcome any holiday blues.

Like other Airmen deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and far corners of the earth, Airman Alkire knows about sacrifice. He understands that Airmen are warfighters and relishes being among them.

"I have a supporting wife who is an Air Force meteorologist herself. She understands what we do and why we are here," said the proud American. "We have to make the best of it and know there will be many more holidays in the future."

"My career field requires you to make sacrifices," he said. "But the result is well worth the cost."