Airmen deploy home for the holidays

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Candy Miller
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Sheppard Air Force Base deployed about 4,000 Airmen Dec. 19 to just as many locations across the country - home for the holidays. 

Brig. Gen. O.G. Mannon, 82nd Training Wing commander, and other base leadership were on hand at the Community Activity Center, offering final instructions to the Airmen in Training before they left on the annual Holiday Exodus. The general told the Airmen to be safe, but also to relax, have fun and share what the Air Force is all about. 

"We're sending America's best and brightest home to talk about the Air Force," the general said. "Look around, there are smiles everywhere. They're excited to talk about how they matured." 

An average of 540 Airmen departed every hour beginning at midnight, leaving very few AiT on base for the holidays. The Airmen will return in early January and continue training Jan. 5. 

Airman Joshua Billingham, a 361st Training Squadron AiT, said the Holiday Exodus is an example of how the Air Force takes care of its Airmen. 

"The Air Force would rather us be with family over the holiday than sit in the dorms; they obviously have the holiday spirit," he said. 

Airman Billingham said he is looking forward to going home because, like many AiT, he hasn't seen his parents since he graduated from basic military training and it has been even longer since he has seen his brothers and sister. 

"I have a close family and I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone," he said. 

Master Sgt. Timothy Bamburg, an 82nd Training Wing military training leader, said this opportunity improves the morale for the Airmen because the holidays are a time for family. 

"(We) couldn't do anything better for their morale ... you can see how excited they are when they walk through the door," he said. "Sometimes a two week break is just what they need." 

Airman 1st Class Brittani Cooper, a graduate of the 381st Training Squadron, said this much-needed break came at the right time. She said going home for a few weeks will allow her to catch up with family and friends and begin anew at her first duty station. 

"It's amazing AiT get this opportunity," she said.