News

Eight Citizen Airmen return from Senegal deployment

  • Published
  • By Sandra Pishner
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. --  Eight of the wing's Citizen Airmen from the 36th and 86th Aerial Port Squadrons, along with one Airman from the active-duty's 62nd Aerial Port Squadron here, returned Feb. 5 from their deployment supporting Air Force operations in Senegal for Operation United Assistance.

About 15 air transportation specialists from the 446th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington have been in Dakar, Senegal in West Africa since Nov. 8, to support ground personnel for the campaign against Ebola, Operation United Assistance.  Seven Citizen Airmen remain in Senegal, their return date unknown.

"Our primary mission here is to move humanitarian cargo into countries affected by the Ebola virus disease," said Senior Master Sgt. Marshall Stokoe, 86th APS, who remains in Senegal.  "Not only has this been a collaboration between three aerial port squadrons (86th APS, 36th APS, and 62nd APS), but it has also been a joint service effort.  We have been working directly with the Army's 21st Theater Sustainment Command and the 101st Sustainment Brigade.  This collaboration has been integral in accomplishing our mission."

The Reserve Airmen integrated with the 787th Air Expeditionary Squadron, comprised primarily from the 39th Airlift Squadron from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas and the 86th APS, 36th APS, and 62nd APS from JBLM.

The group of eight returning Reservists actually departed Senegal Jan. 27 for Germany, according to Master Sgt. Gregory Able, 86th APS.  As the team was integrated with the C-130 flying squadron from Texas, the Airmen had to wait for the flight crews to be cleared for release before flying back with them to Texas. Returning home are:
Master Sgt. Christopher Currier, 86th APS
Master Sgt. Gregroy Abel, 86th APS
Tech. Sgt. Ronald Rendorio, 86th APS
Tech. Sgt. Calvin Best, 86th APS
Tech. Sgt. James Mathers, 36th APS
Tech. Sgt. David Byrd, 36th APS
Tech. Sgt. Wyndell Bagaoisan, 36th APS
Staff Sgt. Eric Gregory, 36th APS.
Also returning was Tech. Sgt. Ryan Sheldon, from the 62nd APS