Base defense squadron heads to Iraq, supports Operation New Dawn

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brigitte N. Brantley-Sisk
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  A group of nearly 200 Airmen from the 822nd Base Defense Squadron departed May 27 for a six-month deployment to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn.

Their mission at Balad Air Base will be to provide integrated defense for the base, including completing missions outside the wire. This will be their first deployment since returning from Camp Bucca, Iraq, in late 2009.

"Everyone's primed and ready to go," said Lt. Col. Joseph D'Amico, 822nd BDS commander. "We've been on call since October, and we've been training for a long time."

This training has included a joint exercise with British forces, shooting and rucking competitions, practicing the use of grenade launchers, and honing entry control point tactics.

Although many members of the squadron have deployed multiple times, some of the younger Airmen have deployed only once or twice.

"This is my second deployment, and while I'm nervous, I'm also ready," said Senior Airman Courtland Little, 822nd BDS fire team member. "My family's also a little nervous for me, but they know that I handle myself well and that we've been trained to do this. They're definitely not as worried as they were during my first deployment."

The commander stated that family involvement is an important part of the deployment process. Hundreds of friends and loved ones showed up to wish the "Scorpions" farewell.

"It's extremely important for us to appreciate the burden that we put on our loved ones' shoulders," said Colonel D'Amico, whose wife and two children stayed by his side for as long as possible. "We're all aware of the risks. Anything can happen, so it's important to prepare them as much as possible."

This deployment is scheduled to last up to six months, the same length of time they spent the previous four deployments to Iraq.

The 822nd has deployed to Iraq, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Djibouti and to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

The 822nd is one of three squadrons in the 820th Base Defense Group. Their deployment history and extensive training make them a self-sustaining force protection capability ready to deploy worldwide at a moment's notice.