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RED HORSE Squadrons Leave Great Falls for Deployment

By KFBB News Team

Story Created: Aug 30, 2010 at 3:09 PM MST

Story Updated: Aug 30, 2010 at 4:50 PM MST

After months of preparing, airmen and families of Malmstrom Air Force Base and The Montana Air National Guard said their goodbyes early this morning.

"It never gets easier,” said Colonel Greg Rosenmerkel, commander of the 819th RED HORSE Squadron. “It’s harder and harder for the kids, but I'm really proud of the support the families provide. Their service is too often under-appreciated by a lot of our nation."

In the Monday morning rain and fog, over 300 airmen with both 819th and 219th RED HORSE squadrons boarded planes here in Great Falls, leaving for a deployment that could last up to eight months.

"I'm excited to go,” said Technical Sergeant Robin Allen (219th). “I haven't been over there in this capacity before or with this large of a group, so it’s great to be able to work with the 819th and the 219th."

"I’m just ready to get going,” said Senior Airman Broc French (819th). “All of this is kind of a waiting game, just sitting around waiting. I’m just ready to get on down the road and start working."

The first stop for the units will be Fort McCoy in Wisconsin, where they will spend three weeks learning specialized combat skills. The RED HORSE squadrons will then travel overseas, working on projects in southwest Asia.

"We do things for the Air Force, for the Department of Defense, that no other units can do,” said Colonel Rosenmerkel. “From full-scale runway construction to well-drilling, the mission that we do is one that only RED HORSE can do."

For today's departure, buses shuttled airmen from the base to planes waiting at Holman Aviation.

And military leaders, along with state leaders, greeted the troops one last time, giving them their support and sending Montana's airmen off with the best of wishes.

"Going off to serve the country, away from their families, away from their jobs, away from their communities, it just makes me incredibly proud,” said Senator Jon Tester. “This country owes a lot to the folks who serve in the military, and I'm very proud of the sacrifices they make."

The Air Force requires all RED HORSE squadrons to undergo specialized training, before deploying in support of Overseas Contingency Operations.

The Montana units are expected to work on engineering projects in Afghanistan, and could be sent to other countries across southwest Asia.

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Sid Howard, Catholic War Veterans Memorial Post 168 said on Wednesday, Sep 1 at 3:20 PM

Our Catholic War Veterans Post Memorial 168 Oklahoma is very aware of your professional unit and the mission that you are famous for accomplishing. God Speed, you all are in our thoughts and prayers. We will not forget.

Lehua Cunha said on Monday, Aug 30 at 5:34 PM

I am so proud of our men :] I can't wait for all of you to come home safely

mike hawk said on Monday, Aug 30 at 3:36 PM

that is really touching about the families deploying and how they the that then where are they going and then also the tent read night owl elk deer moon

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