820th BDG combat leaders take on deployment

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nicholas Benroth
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Col. Randall Richert, 820th BDG commander stood before a crowd of people Sept. 9 ensuring family and friends that he would bring this group back safely as they prepared for their deployment to Afghanistan as a command element.

When the 820th Base Defense Group deploy, they typically do not deploy as single or small groups they leave in large groups. However, with their latest deployment things were different.

"This is a unique situation because usually I am the one up front wishing all the members deploying good luck," said Richert. "This time I am one of the ones leaving."

All of the members from the 820th BDG that were deploying, along with their friends ensured their gear was ready to go when the bus arrived. After their gear was loaded up they moved into the waiting area where both Richert and Col. Scott Kindsvater, 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing commander spoke to the group that was present to send their family and friends off.

"I just wanted to say thank you to all the families here for lending us your loved ones," said Kindsvater. "When you're over there I want you all to focus on the mission, stay safe and stay well."

The 820th BDG received a short notice tasking to fill the position of providing defense at Kandahar airfield in Afghanistan where they will be until a replacement unit is chosen.

The reason the group was chosen for this task was their ability to deploy at a moment's notice.

After the speech, everyone headed to the bus to line up and give one last goodbye as they shook hands with Richert and the other members of the team as they boarded the bus and headed out.