Deployment: A reservist's perspective

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nick Wilson
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Members from the 442nd Maintenance and Operations groups deployed Dec. 28, 2011 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Master Sgt. Calvin Carter, 442nd Maintenance Squadron structural technician, was one of the Citizen Airmen who left that day.

"I'm expecting for us to go over into a fairly harsh environment this time of year because of the cold," Carter said. "But at the same time, I expect us to be able to go over and perform and do our job as well as we do any other time."

Even though he will be away from his four children (two of whom are college students) and his wife for this deployment, his family stayed with him until he boarded the bus headed for the plane that would take him to Afghanistan.

"I know my one daughter, she just wants me to be there for indoor track season, so me not being there kind of makes her a little sad," Carter said. "My oldest son now has to step up and my wife is going to wonder if I'm taking my medicine and doing the things I'm supposed to be doing."

Throughout this mission, he said his family will certainly be a primary concern.

"I think them being able to cope with everything makes it pretty easy for me to be able to go out and do my job and help our guys get the mission done," Carter said. "We have a big job and everyone is depending on us. We depend on ourselves to be able to come through, so I'm ready."

To ease the stress that this deployment or temporary duty assignment might give to family members, the 442nd Fighter Wing Airman and Family Readiness Office has several programs to assist with matters - from financial concerns to family issues.

For example, there is an active Key Spouse program where A&FR staff members will make phone calls to families while reservists are deployed. Before departing, each servicemember completes a data card so the A&FR staff knows if there are any extraordinary concerns with which the families may need assistance.

"We are here to help with any situation that may arise," Chambers said. "We take these situations and give extra care, so the member can focus on the mission downrange and stay safe knowing their loved ones are being looked out for."