MCCONNELL AFB, KAN. -- Six members of the 931st Security Forces have returned home after deploying to Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq to serve as a vital piece of a four team squadron.
The 931st SF team, along with the 916th SF out of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., 514th SF from McGuire AFB, N.J. and the 349th SF based at Travis AFB, Calif. teamed up to form the 506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron.
The team arrived at Kirkuk AB to better than expected living conditions.“The living facilities were really nice,” said Staff Sgt. Jared Arrington, Force Protection Supervisor, 931st SF. “We expected to live in tents, but we got hardened shelters.”
This was the first deployment for more than half of the 931st troops, but it didn’t seem like such. “It was the first for four of them,” said Master Sgt. Gary White, chief, 931st Security Forces, “I could not have asked for more professional and expert individuals.”
The 506th ESFS mission is to detect, delay, deter and destroy any and all enemy aggression to personnel and the installation. “We provided perimeter and patrol coverage to and around the base,” said Sergeant White.
Some members of the team experienced an event they won’t soon forget
.“On October 23, 2005, in the early morning hours we received incoming 107mm rockets near our main gate area. I arrived to find a large convoy just sitting there, so I tried to get some of the patrols to get with the convoy commander to get them moving,” explained Sergeant White.
Incommmmmmmmming.“As I am doing that (trying to move the convoy) a rocket was fired, so I called it in,” said Sergeant White. “As I was calling it in, I looked up and saw the rocket coming my way so I hastily tried to take covr in front of my Humvee.”
As if that weren’t enough, try adding injury to insult.“
As I was doing that (taking cover) I rolled my ankle on some rocks and fell onto my back,” said Sergeant White. “Because I was on my back I was able to watch the rocket fly over and explode beyond my position.”
Talk about a series of events. “I was scared at first, but it quickly turned to anger when I realized that I had rolled my ankle,” said Sergeant White. “I made my way upon my feet and noticed that the convoy was still there.”
Extreme circumstances can get the best of anyone.
“#$*%,” said Sergeant White. “I then reiterated my instructions to the convoy commander.”
As previously stated, an experience they won’t soon forget.
“My troops thought this incident was hilarious and take every opportunity to remind me,” said Sergeant White.
After spending 191 days at their luxurious desert outpost, it was time for them to return home. The return flight was an adventure in itself.The team left Kirkuk and flew to Kuwait, then onto Qatar, then back to Kuwait, then eventually to Baltimore, Md. and finally to Wichita, Kan.
“The journey home was fun to say the least, but it really didn’t bother me as long as we were headed west,” said Sergeant Arrington.
The mission was a success, a lot due to the whole ‘team’ concept. “The teamwork went well from start to finish. We had a very exceptional group of people who believed in the mission and as a result, accomplished it,” said Sergeant White.
As they stepped off the plane at the airport, here in Wichita, they beamed with pride and were anxious to see their loved ones. “It’s really great to be home with my wife, son and even my car,” said Sergeant Arrington.
“It (the deployment) was an eye opening and self-rewarding experience,” said Sergeant White. “I am proud to be a part of history.”