Security forces Airmen get frozen treat from Midwest

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. J. LaVoie
  • 506th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  Donations of freezer pops from family and friends throughout the Midwest recently helped a noncommissioned officers’ organization here give security forces Airmen a refreshing break during their duty day.

The organization, comprising E-5s and E-6s, wanted to do something special for security forces specialists guarding Kirkuk. Originally they considered handing out slushies or popsicles as a gesture of thanks to Kirkuk’s “frontline” troops.

They eventually decided freezer pops would best survive the desert heat, but that presented a problem. The frozen treat seemed ideal because it is purchased in a liquid form packaged at room temperature inside a sealed plastic container. But where to find them?

“Actually getting the freezer pops was a little difficult because they don’t stock them here,” said Tech. Sgt. Dan Moss, of the NCO organization. “We had to get them from the states. We asked family and friends to send them.”

The organization’s family and friends responded enthusiastically. One of those friends was Carol Tschida from Idaho. When she heard about the club’s cool idea, she and her son promptly bought 1,000 of the treats.

“We wanted, no needed, to do something to bring a bit of joy to our troops who faced so many dangers,” Ms. Tschida said. “I will do what I can to make the lives of our servicemen and women a little better. Who would have thought a freezer pop would make so much difference in a person's day. It makes me feel good, and proud that I can take a part in this war on the home front. Even though I'm not at risk of life or limb, I helped a little. There's no better feeling than that.”

The local and long-distance gesture was appreciated by security forces Airmen as a welcomed break from 13-hour days.

“I think that is awesome, because I think it’s cool everyone back home still supports us,” said Senior Airman Chris Banks, of the 506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron who received a visit from the popsicle patrol.