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Chief reflects on deployment, gives advice to Airmen

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Joseph Kapinos
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Publif Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  After nearly a year as the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing command chief, CMSgt Rick Ricker bids a fond farewell to the men and women deployed here. Chief Ricker leaves the 455 AEW team with a few thoughts concerning deployments.

How have deployments changed from the time you did your first one to this most recent one?

Deployments have transformed, more so when concerning the communication side of things. When I first deployed, there was no communication with the home front. Now, here in Afghanistan, there are commercial cell phones and internet capability. We can stay in touch with the family day-to-day as opposed to a 15-minute morale call or the once in lifetime email.

How much difference does it make to an Airman to research the area that he is deploying to prior to leaving?

I think it makes all the difference in the world. It really gives them the perspective on why they are here. I think that Airmen should know what their mission is and I don't mean just turning wrenches or bedding down folks, but how it fits into the big scheme of things. That's the information that I think our Airmen should have.

What is the one thing you would tell younger servicemembers when it comes to deploying, especially those Airmen who have been working directly with the other services?

It would have to be flexibility. We have said that from the beginning. Everyone has heard the term "Flexibility is the key to air power." What these Airmen are bringing to the fight, either here or as an 'In lieu of' or 'Request for forces' with the Army, they are bringing air power. Whether it's out there with the Provincial Reconstruction Teams or the embedded training teams, they are bringing air power or the knowledge of air power to the fight. So, what I ask them to do is to remain flexible and patient. Patience is also key as nothing happens in Afghanistan quickly, so you must have a lot of patience in order to get your job done.

What are some of the things that Airmen can do to keep their morale up?

We have a number of private organizations like Airmen Committed to Excellence; Route 56 for our junior NCOs; and we have the Top 3. I implore them to get involved with those organizations. All the Airmen are going to come here and do their jobs. We know that and we have faith that the Airmen will do that. But if you really want to take back the memories of what you do here, it's the interaction that you will remember most and you get that interaction from those private organizations.

What is the single most important thing that you, as a senior enlisted member, tell Airmen who are preparing to deploy?

They are creating history. They really are. We try to tell them that all the time. What we are doing in Afghanistan is in fact supporting and defending the constitution of the United States. In my 24 years of service, this is the first time that I have really felt that. It is my personal feeling that I want our Airmen to understand that when they come out here they are truly supporting our constitution. To come here and support this great mission, you can't help but know that we are creating history.

(Master Sgt. Sean Lehman, AFN Afghanistan, contributed to this story)