606th ACS returns from deployment

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Andrea Knudson
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  Spouses, coworkers and friends anxiously awaited the arrival of more than 70 Airmen from the 606th Air Control Squadron as they returned to Spangdahlem Air Base Sept. 19. They greeted the Airmen, who were deployed to Southwest Asia for four months, with welcome home banners, hugs and kisses, and home-made goodies and treats. 

Expectant mothers, a newlywed, mothers and fathers with kids in tow, and several uniform-clad friends were among those who waited in the cold hours before their loved ones' arrival, including Senior Airman Jessica Kay, also assigned to the 606th ACS. 

Airman Kay, who is expecting a girl in November, waited with friends for husband Airman 1st Class James Kay. She said she knew what their first order of business would be. "James will see an ultrasound for the first time," she said. This was his first deployment and other plans include a trip to the Black Forest, relaxing and just spending time with one another. 

Melissa Sandberg and sons Roy, 18 months, and Wes, 8 months, laughed and hung out with friends while waiting for Airman 1st Class Nathan Sandberg. Melissa credits time spent with friends and fellow spouses for helping her deal with the separation. 

"I spent a lot of time at the coffee shop, every Friday ... that's how I made it through this deployment," Melissa said. "I had a lot of play dates with other spouses. A lot of their husbands work with mine." 

The squadron deployed Airmen from 23 different career fields to support its mission of air defense for the Arabian Gulf. Among the duties and responsibilities of those ensuring mission success for this deployment included supply personnel, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, computer support, including computer security, power pro, ground radio and operations personnel. 

"The biggest thing for us was exceeding our task for radar coverage," said Lt. Col. David Naisbitt, commander of the 606th ACS. "We were tasked for just under 24 hours of daily [intelligence] coverage time and were very successful." 

The 606th ACS conducted training and exercises with joint players in the area of responsibility under the command of the Air Operations Center at the Combined Air Operations Center in Southwest Asia. All personnel worked at the Control and Reporting Center "Pyramid Control" -- the hub of all surveillance, identification and data links, keeping the fighters in the air informed and able to fight, according to Senior Master Sgt. Patrick Wilson, 606th ACS operations superintendent.

Spouses constantly rely on support groups for help and information about what's going on with those deployed. 

Shelly Naisbitt took on that role, along with about 10 other key spouses who kept the more than 90 spouses of deployed Airmen in the loop. The Airman and Family Readiness Center oversees the Key Spouse program. 

"We call at least once a week to see if the spouses need help with anything, and we try and get them whatever they need," Mrs. Naisbitt said. 

On that night, Mrs. Naisbitt handed out tissues before the arrival. She consoled a crying child and helped her make her way back to the big bouncy castle joining other children who should be out for the count before mom and dad make it home. 

Kate, 2, who was dressed in pink from head to toe, was up past her bedtime. She and her mother, Annie Pennington, were waiting for father and husband Capt. David Pennington. The two passed the time during the deployment by making personalized greetings for him. 

"We recorded a ton of videos for daddy," Mrs. Pennington said while holding her daughter. "Kate wanted to watch the videos all the time; everything else took a back seat." She said the family's plans were to get away and take advantage of what being stationed in Europe has to offer. 

"Rome ... Sweden ... it depends on the work schedule," she said. "It would be really nice." 

As the commander announced the bus packed with their loved ones was near, a friend of Senior Airman Travan McGhee assisted him with diaper-changing duties for Makailah, 18 months. His wife, Senior Airman Jessica McGhee, was on that bus, and he said friends helped out a great deal during her deployment. 

"People helped out in different ways, fixing Makailah's hair and coming over to hang out with me," Airman McGhee said. Big plans for the McGhee family include getting reacquainted, catching a movie and eating at Chili's on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. 

"The first thing I am going to do is give her a big hug, a big kiss and let her play with the baby; tell her I love her and that I am glad she is home," he said. 

Gintare Baca, wife of Capt. Bonifacio Baca, was among those eagerly awaiting the bus, which, according to the commander, was minutes away. The two were married just three months and were not able to go on their honeymoon. 

"I am going to hug him and kiss him a lot!" Mrs. Baca said. 

When the bus finally arrived, just after 11 p.m., the Airmen were ushered to a table where they lined up for some quick administrative duties. The commander said the goal is to not keep them long. 

"We're not big on speeches," Colonel Naisbitt said. "Let's get them back to their families, get them back to their homes."