Airmen deploy home for the holidays

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Adawn Kelsey
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Airmen in Training at Sheppard Air Force Base filed into the Airman's Club Dec. 21 to embark on the on the annual Holiday exodus, a time when AiT go home for the holidays.

As the Airmen head home for the holidays, some plan to spend time with family and loved ones.

"The first thing I'm going to do is surprise my mom at work and bring her lunch," said Airman Gabriel Blades, 361st Training Squadron aerospace ground equipment AiT.

Airman Olivia Smith, 364th TRS AiT, said she hasn't been home since Aug. 3 and can't wait to see her family.

"I can't wait to see my 4-year-old sister," she said. "For Halloween I gave her an Airman Battle Uniform and she dressed up like me. It was really cute. Christmastime is big in my family because there are so many of us. My mom is from a family of 12 and my dad is from a family of seven."

To ease the restless and eager Airmen, Sheppard leadership and members walk around to talk to them, hand out goodies and ease the atmosphere by striking up cheerful holiday songs Airmen love to chime in and help sing.

Exodus is planned and coordinated by the 82nd Training Wing training operations office, and is the stronghold for safely moving about 5,000 Airmen in Training attending the various schools at Sheppard.

Senior Master Sgt. Robert Smith, military training superintendent, said the agencies work together to prepare the Airmen for their vacation.

"For some of the Airmen this is the first time they have traveled, besides going to basic training," he said. "With combined efforts, we are doing everything we can to fully prepare them and advise them before they leave."

Lt. Col. Erik Bovasso, 82nd Force Support Squadron, said the environment was exciting and full of energy. His primary concern was for the Airmen and making sure they have everything they need.

"We try to make it fun and comfortable while they are waiting for the buses," the colonel said. "We are all about supporting our Airmen and making sure they have everything they need to get home for holidays."

James Zillweger, 82nd TRW chief of safety, was at the Airman's Club handing out safety pens and water bottles to the departing Airmen.

"Since the Airmen are going home for the holidays, we just want to keep safety on the forefront," he said. "Over the past couple of years, we haven't had any fatalities and we want to keep it that way. We are handing out pens to help them think safety as they depart."