Hurricanes, home, mission focus of Gwangju Airmen

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Oshawn Jefferson
  • 3rd Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
GWANGJU AIR BASE, South Korea (AFPN) --  Airmen deployed with the 3rd Air Expeditionary Group here focus daily on the task of ensuring the F-15E Strike Eagles can perform the mission and return safely. But for more than 100 of them, that focus is split between accomplishing the mission here and keeping their minds on the weather causing devastation at home.

"It's tough leaving my only daughter behind," said Senior Airman Dominick Jamison, a 3rd Air Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron supply craftsman from Ocala, Fla., who has a 2-year-old daughter, Aaniyah, in Tampa, Fla. "When Hurricane Charley hit, I was able to drive down and take her out of danger. But since I've been here (through) Hurricane Frances and now Ivan, I've spent more than $40 on phone cards to make sure my daughter and the rest of my family are OK."

Master Sgt. Tamara Williams, a 3rd AEG air traffic controller, did not know about the hurricanes until she arrived here. She has two daughters, a 3-month-old grandson and a home in Oviedo Park, Fla.

"My youngest daughter had to evacuate the area with her young son during Hurricane Charley, and I had to watch Hurricane Frances on (television), and now Hurricane Ivan … . It’s crazy."

For most of the Airmen here, the thought of leaving their families for a long deployment was tough enough, but to leave with hurricanes bearing down on their families and their homes was tougher.

"I didn't want to leave my wife and family behind to deal with evacuating from Hurricane Frances, but when you're called to duty, you respond," said Tech. Sgt. George Price Jr., one of four 3rd AEG explosive ordnance disposal Airmen.

Sergeant Price left his wife, Kara, and sons, Georgie, 12, Gregory, 10, and Jacob, 6-months-old, to evacuate Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., during Hurricane Frances.

"When I arrived here, I didn't know if my wife had made it safely to Atlanta. I was trying to call home, and I couldn't get through. It took me a couple of days, but I was extremely happy and relieved to find out they were OK. Frances caused some water damage to the house and ruined some things, but those things are replaceable -- my family isn't."

Even with these trying times, the Airmen here continue to find peace in a place so far from the ones they love and worry about.

"I talk with my family regularly, so I know they are taken care of," said Capt. Greg Preisser, a 3rd AEG F-15E pilot, whose wife, parents and in-laws are in central Florida. "I have a strong family unit, so it makes it easier to do the job here when you know they are fine.”

Strike Eagles continue to be ready, and the mission is being accomplished.

"All I can do is focus on my job here, and leave the rest in God's hands," Airman Jamison said.