Yokota Airmen deploy to Southwest Asia

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jonathan Fowler
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  About 75 Yokota Airmen deployed Sept. 15 to Southwest Asia in support of global war on terrorism.

Most of the departing Airmen are assigned to the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron and the 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron and are part of the nearly 300 Yokota Airmen slated to deploy through December as part of the Aerospace Expeditionary Force 9 and 10 rotation.

Comments from those deploying ranged from excitement to nervousness.

"I have mixed feelings," said Senior Airman Kayla Gray, from the 374th Communications Squadron, about her second deployment. "I'm nervous but excited at the same time even though I know it will be dangerous."

First-timer deployer Airman 1st Class Devon Suits, also from the 374th CS, said, "It feels different than what I expected. Since this is my first time deploying, I am excited but will really miss the people I leave behind."

Most of the Airmen are serving four-month tours and will return early next year.