I haven't told anybody here yet....

#1 Postby **pojo** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 1:05 pm

For those of you that don't know... I am a Senior Airman with the Air Force Reserve based at General Mitchell Airport in Milwaukee.

Our squadron (34th Aerial Port Squadron) in the 440th Airlift Wing has receive our second activation warning right around Thanksgiving... what that means is our squadron IS getting deployed. I am currently on the alternate list and I will not find out until March when the orders come out. Nice birthday present for me. I have to go through all the training as if I was being deployed.

There is a high possibility that I might be deployed in early April. We will be gone upto 14 months (Apr 05 - Jun 06) starting out at Charleston AFB and then from there on out... who knows. Charleston will have freewill on our orders.... As of right now, the sandbox looks doubtful (Iraq), but Afghanistan is still in the picture.

Yes, I am fully aware that college graduation is planned for May, but my professors are willing to work around that barrier... They are going to try accelerated courses that way I can graduate and complete my school work in about 9 weeks. I might even start classes a week early. I guess I will have to wait a see.

It was not good news, but it comes with the territory.

#2 Postby **cycloneye** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 1:09 pm

Oh Shannon bad that you may go to that part of the world but on the other hand you are serving your country in a great manner so I say to you good luck in your tests and on your deployment.

sunny · #3 Postby **sunny** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 1:10 pm

Definitely keep us updated.

#4 Postby **streetsoldier** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 3:53 pm

You've been trained; you are an NCO, and have responsibilities to see that your flight does its best, and you're READY.

"Sandbox" or "Armpit", you'll do well...as this old ex-AF 1LT expects. Of COURSE I pray that you don't go into a "hot zone" (only veterans like myself, who've "been there, done that" understand); but, then...I'll pray for your safety and security until I hear that you are PCS-CONUS again. :larrow:

#5 Postby **Stephanie** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 4:44 pm

Definately keep us posted Shannon! I hope that you will not be deployed "over there", but if you are, I know you'll serve our country well.

Stormsfury · #6 Postby **Stormsfury** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 5:13 pm

There is a high possibility that I might be deployed in early April. We will be gone upto 14 months (Apr 05 - Jun 06) starting out at Charleston AFB and then from there on out... who knows. Charleston will have freewill on our orders.... As of right now, the sandbox looks doubtful (Iraq), but Afghanistan is still in the picture.

Shannon, when you do reach Charleston (I hope you don't get deployed to Afghanistan), feel free to give me a ring ...

SF

#7 Postby **george_r_1961** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 6:38 pm

Shannon hope it all works out well for u

#8 Postby **DaylilyDawn** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 6:46 pm

Shannon, I hope you will be safe where ever your orders will take you.

therock1811 · #9 Postby **therock1811** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 6:54 pm

We will all hope and pray that you are safe Shannon. But hopefully you are not deployed.

breeze · #10 Postby **breeze** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 8:31 pm

I've said it before, and, I'll say it, again -
that Shannon is ONE tough lady!!!

You've got the strong courage and spirit to go
where most of us have never been.

I've got NO doubt that our pojo can handle the
job that she gets! :wink:

Rainband · #11 Postby **Rainband** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 8:33 pm

Shannon. God Speed. You will be just fine.

Skywatch_NC · #12 Postby **Skywatch_NC** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 8:35 pm

Shannon,

Here's wishing you the best, Wxbuddy, and prayers and thoughts go with you and your comrades.

((((HUGS))))

Eric

#13 Postby **azskyman** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 9:00 pm

Do keep us updated Shannon.... I wish you the best, but know you are prepared to accept the call, whatever it might be.

One of our pressmen has received his orders and will deploy in late March...at the current time seems headed to Afghanistan...but all that could change, of course.

Prayers with you and your unit.

Amanzi · #14 Postby **Amanzi** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 9:38 pm

I pray you will be safe and sound Shan.

YIKES... that will be a heavy school load for you girl! Please keep us updated.

HurricaneGirl · #15 Postby **HurricaneGirl** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 7:14 am

Good luck with everything Shannon!

Miss Mary · #16 Postby **Miss Mary** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 8:02 am

Shannon - wishing you the best here. I can't help but view this from a mother's perspective - I'm just praying you don't have to go over there. But if you do, count on all of us to pray for your safe return! Hoping graduation timing works out well too.

Mary

#17 Postby **wx247** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 9:16 am

breeze wrote:I've said it before, and, I'll say it, again -
that Shannon is ONE tough lady!!!

You've got the strong courage and spirit to go
where most of us have never been.

I've got NO doubt that our pojo can handle the
job that she gets!

You said it Breeze. Shannon is one of the people I respect the most here because of her dedication and duty to everything she does -- from school to the armed forces.

Shannon... I hope you don't have to go, but if you do, know that EVERYONE here @ Storm2K is behind you 110%!

#18 Postby **vbhoutex** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 9:54 am

wx247 wrote:
breeze wrote:I've said it before, and, I'll say it, again -
that Shannon is ONE tough lady!!!

You've got the strong courage and spirit to go
where most of us have never been.

I've got NO doubt that our pojo can handle the
job that she gets!

You said it Breeze. Shannon is one of the people I respect the most here because of her dedication and duty to everything she does -- from school to the armed forces.

Shannon... I hope you don't have to go, but if you do, know that EVERYONE here @ Storm2K is behind you 110%!

WRONG!!!!!! We're behind her 1000%!!!!

#19 Postby **wx247** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 9:16 pm

vbhoutex wrote:
wx247 wrote:
breeze wrote:I've said it before, and, I'll say it, again -
that Shannon is ONE tough lady!!!

You've got the strong courage and spirit to go
where most of us have never been.

I've got NO doubt that our pojo can handle the
job that she gets!

You said it Breeze. Shannon is one of the people I respect the most here because of her dedication and duty to everything she does -- from school to the armed forces.

Shannon... I hope you don't have to go, but if you do, know that EVERYONE here @ Storm2K is behind you 110%!

WRONG!!!!!! We're behind her 1000%!!!!

Wrong, we are behind her 100000% !!! :lol:

Seriously, Shannon. We are proud of you!!!

#20 Postby **pojo** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 11:57 am

I'm holding back tears thanks :cry:

I understand that I have signed up for this job and committed to foresee my involvement. Juggling work, school and the military is extremely hard to do... now with the possible deployment... it will be even harder.

I have to talk with my professors to see if I can place my LAST semester into the express lane. I am happy that I am finally graduating, but I wish I am able to complete it like a normal student.

I talked with our squadron training guy today and he was saying that the list could and will change and that I have to treat my life right now as if I was headed out... so, complete semester in 8-9 weeks.

Yes, this is a sacrifice, but thank you for your well wishes.

I haven't told anybody here yet....

I haven't told anybody here yet....

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