DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- When the Air Force tasked the 46th Aerial Port Squadron from the Air Force Reserve's 512th Airlift Wing, here, with a partial mobilization in the fall of 2014, there were more volunteers than deployment slots available.
Tech. Sgts. Patricia Thurston and Jill Fitzgerald, and Staff Sgt. Debrah Thomas, all 46th APS members, or "port dawgs" as they're referred to, deployed to Bagram Airfield's 455th Air Expeditionary Wing in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel, the United States' new mission on peacekeeping and counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan.
Reservists getting a chance to serve at a deployed location that has been operating since 2001 are becoming increasingly rare, said Thurston, who recently returned from her deployment at Bagram.
Despite threats outside the wire, aerial porters on the flightline were able to accomplish their mission safely and effectively, ensuring cargo and passengers were where they needed to be, Thurston added.
By January 2015 and during the 512th AW reservists' deployment, the 455th AEW processed and moved nearly 63,000 passengers and over 6.2 million pounds of cargo and mail from Bagram Airfield, according to Thurston.
In addition to their missions as aerial porters on deployment, Thurston and Thomas volunteered as members of Bagram's honor guard along with teaching English to local Afghan men.
They are receiving accolades on deployment and back home for their work and determination, said Lt. Col. Gregory Kuzma, 46th APS commander .
On Saturday, the 512th AW named Thomas as the 2014 Airman of the Year for her efforts here and overseas. Since Thomas was deployed at the time of the presentation, Kuzma accepted the award on her behalf.
"Not only do they proudly represent the best of our 46th Aerial Port Squadron, they are fine examples of what the Air Reserve Component has to offer," Kuzma said. "I could not be more proud of my deployed Airmen supporting combat operations at Bagram."