Hill AFB welcomes deployed Airman at Warrior Welcome

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Genieve David
  • 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah (AFNEWS) --  Members of the 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron, friends and family rallied around more than 50 Airmen who recently redeployed from various locations during a Warrior Welcome gathering here March 15.

Those at the Warrior Welcome party acknowledged recently returned members from deployment, those members soon to deploy to various areas of responsibility, and remembered comrades currently serving in areas of conflict outside of Hill AFB.

"We owe a debt of thanks to all our Airmen for serving our country and doing great things out there," said Lt. Col. Todd Toman, 75th LRS commander. "I received a lot of positive comments from commanders throughout the theater on all the great things our LRS people have done and are currently doing."

In 2006, Hill processed more than 1,600 personnel, through the personnel deployment function, to various locations in support of the war on terrorism and other contingencies.

During their recent deployment, Tech. Sgts. Andrew Wheeler, Steven Kobbe and Sean Hass, from the 75th LRS, earned Bronze Stars for their acts of heroism in theater. Each of them led the way as convoy commanders in charge of Air Force, Army and foreign national civilians in Kuwait and Iraq.

In particular, Sergeant Hass led 13 convoy missions with direct control of 386 vehicles and more than 500 Airmen, Soldiers and foreign national contract drivers operating long-haul missions over some of the most dangerous roads in the world.

During a night mission, while leading a 33-vehicle convoy ferrying sustainment supplies, Sergeant Hass and his squad encountered an enemy attack on a main supply route. The tractor trailer directly in front of his command vehicle was hit with an improvised explosive device.

"When we were attacked it always kind of felt like slow motion," Sergeant Hass said. "You just react, training kicks in and your basic instinct for survival takes over." 

Sergeant Hass ordered his gun trucks to provide 360-degree security and firepower allowing recovery actions to be carried out as the scene was being secured. The end result -- lives saved and vehicles lead out of the kill zone. The recovery and security was a team effort, he said. 

"I learned that preparation and rehearsal, no matter how many times and how repetitive it can be, can save lives," Sergeant Hass said.

"This experience and the honor of the award really is humbling. There are troops out there being killed and injured almost daily in Iraq and I feel they are the true heroes that have given the ultimate sacrifice," Sergeant Hass said. 

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