Standing a post, any post, is a tough job.

But when the post is a perimeter guard tower at a base in Iraq and it’s the middle of winter, the stakes go up.

Thanks to one family in Arizona, the Airmen of the 506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron are feeling a little bit warmer this winter.

When his family asked what he needed for Christmas, Tech. Sgt. Max Quitiquit Jr. said he wanted something for his fellow deployed Airmen rather than for himself.

“My Mom wanted to send more cookies and snacks but we already had more than plenty of those items,” he said. “Many Airmen spent quite a bit a time outside in the cold and I thought they could use hand warmers and other items.”

“This year at Thanksgiving dinner, our family decided that instead of exchanging gifts this year we would (spend) our time and money in trying to do something for our deployed troops,” said Max Quitiquit, Sergeant Quitiquit’s father and a retired U.S. Navy commander.

So the Quitiquit family bought 1,840 pairs of hand warmers and 100 headbands with ear protectors and scarves. Once friends of the family found out, they also made donations, adding another $700 to purchase hand warmers and headbands for deployed Airmen.

“The Airman were appreciative of the thought and sacrifice made by the family,” said Capt. Michael Borders, security forces flight commander. “It means someone is thinking of them … it all boils down to a group of Americans caring enough to send another group of Americans something to make defending freedom a little easier. It’s lonely and cold on post and knowing that somebody cares enough to try to help, or just say thanks is important.” 

“For a family to sacrifice their Christmas … makes me thankful to be an American,” said Senior Airman Daisy Salas, deployed from Moody Air Force Base, Ga.

The response to his request was more than he imagined, Sergeant Quitiquit said. The response was so great, he was able to donate some items to Soldiers who are also stationed here.

“We all stay so busy doing our own missions that sometimes it’s hard not to take for granted what others do to enable us to accomplish our own missions,” he said. “Security forces personnel accomplish a demanding mission every moment of every day. Their vigilance and dedication permit the rest of us to go about our daily tasks with confidence and security.”