Rescue wing security forces deploy to Iraq

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Chance Babin
  • 920th Rescue Wing
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Air Force Reservists from the 920th Rescue Wing are being mobilized to report to Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq for a 179- day deployment. The team of 13 Reservists will be leaving Patrick Air Force Base Monday morning, Aug. 20. 

The Security Forces troops will be performing air base ground defense duties while at Kirkuk AB, which is located north of Baghdad. Their duties will include perimeter security, flight line security and quick reactionary force measures. 

In preparation for the deployment members attended Patriot Defender, a two-week exercise geared toward combat deployments. The Air Force Reserve Command training exercise awards three-year sustainment training credit to all security forces personnel who attend. 

"The Training was good," said Staff Sgt. Dominique Hogan, a fire team leader, "it covered all aspects of air base ground defense including convoy training and IED (improvised explosive device) training." 

Leading up to the deployment the team has been focusing on finalizing their preparedness by performing standard military training back at Patrick AFB. 

"We've been preparing for this deployment for a good two months making sure all of our weapons and physical training is up to date," said Tech. Sgt. David DeFile, the team leader. "It was a short notice deployment, but everybody's bonded together to make it happen. Everybody has a positive outlook."