NYANG leadership observes 823d BDS, 105th SFS training

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Eileen Meier
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Patrick Murphy, the 52nd Adjutant General of New York State, and leadership from the New York Air National Guard and 105th Security Forces Squadron from Stewart Air National Guard Base, N.Y., visited Moody June 11-12, 2013.

Murphy along with U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Verle Johnston, NYANG commander, and Brig. Gen. Anthony German, NYANG chief of staff, observed pre-deployment training simulations between the 823d Base Defense Squadron and the 105th SFS.

The training is designed to support a 2009 formal agreement, where the 105th SFS augments the 820th Base Defense Group on deployments downrange.

"We're not going to send an Airman downrange who is not fully trained and qualified," said Murphy. "The commitment is to deploy about 30 Airmen in the needed skill sets, for each rotation into theater."

Since the agreement four years ago, the 105th SFS and 820th BDG have completed six month rotations downrange, sometimes training for more than five months.

"The 820th BDG and 105th SFS guard units really work well together," said Johnston. "As they both go to each other's sites they build a better, stronger relationship.

The folks have deployed together over the years; it is really working out very nice for both organizations."

For some Airmen with the 105th SFS, this will be their first deployment with the 820th BDG, and some on their first deployment ever.

"This is my first deployment with the 105th and the 820th," said U.S. Air National Guard Staff Sgt. John Bellino, 105th SFS. "We're sending squad after squad pretty regularly, which is pretty unique to our guard unit.

Other guard units, like maintenance, will have to deploy at some point; but not like the 105th on a regular basis," added Bellino.

As the two units train together, friendships develop into a sense of brotherhood on the battlefield.

"If you train together, you'll fight together. So that is what we try to do," said Johnston.

For the past four years, challenges such as distance and communication have not hindered the mission of the units.

"The (105th SFS) Airmen who participate in training and deployments feel like they are completely integrated and part of the (820th BDG) team," said Johnston.

"It's real serious business out there (downrange), we're really proud of all of you for serving your country," said Murphy.

Many of the 105th Airmen explained the opportunity to train in a situation like this is rare, and they're glad to be here. Moody, however, is the last stop for the 105th SFS before they depart with the 823d BDS downrange.