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32 AOG deploys to support GWOT

Released: Feb. 3, 2003

By Capt. Dani Johnson
USAFE News Service

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (USAFENS) - More than 40 airmen from the 32nd Air Operations Group here left Feb. 2 for the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to support the global war on terrorism.

The 32nd AOG responded as part of the Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's Dec. 24 deployment order, which directed additional forces to support Operation Enduring Freedom and possible future contingencies.

"We provide command and control for air operations and information operations," said Col. Mace Carpenter, 32nd AOG commander, who was one of the 40 to deploy. "We will take the lead on the strategic planning."

According to Carpenter, the group deploying is the first of more than 170 that will deploy to the U.S. CENTCOM AOR in the near future.

"We are pumped and ready," said Carpenter. "We have been heavily involved in the planning and strategy since April with CENTAF (Central Air Force) at Shaw (Air Force Base, S.C.)."

The mission of the group, which consists of the 32nd Air Intelligence Squadron, 32nd Air Operations Squadron and the 32nd Information Warfare Flight, is to plan, task and direct operational-level air operations by providing intelligence, worldwide deployable communications and air control services.

"We've been preparing our equipment and people for more than three months," said Carpenter. "We have been going through exercises and recalls here, and supporting efforts at numerous locations in the U.S. and here in Europe."

While the group is ready and prepared to deploy, the families have been preparing themselves also.

"It's sad, but we understand why it is happening," said Kelli Bailey, wife of Maj. Pete Bailey, 32nd AIS, and mother to three boys ages 8, 5, and 3. "We'll keep in touch through the Internet, we have a video camera on our computer, and I'll keep our schedule flexible to work with his schedule."

Karen Carpenter has a slightly different view about the deployment. This is the first time her husband's deployed since she got out of the Air Force. She was a flight surgeon the last time the colonel deployed, but she's since retired.

"This time I don't have a job to keep me occupied," said Karen, who's staying behind with two sons, 12 and 7, and one daughter, 3. "I'm not in the loop this time, and I'm not worrying as much, since the last two times he was flying (during Operation Desert Storm, the colonel flew the F-111 and in Operation Allied Force flew the F-117 Nighthawk) and this time he is not."

The U.S. Air Forces in Europe Theater Air and Space-operations Support Center commander, Col. Maury Forsyth, was on hand to see the airmen off.

"I wish I was going where you were going," Forsyth said to the troops. "This is serious. It is our chance to show the world why the U.S. is the best in the world.

"Don't ever think your job is not important," he added. You all make a difference, every single one of you."

Carpenter spoke to the deploying airmen prior to departing Ramstein.

"We may not be as physically at risk as others," he said. "But we have the burden of the world depending on what you do. Rest assured at the end of the day you will be able to say you've done the best you could, and don't forget to talk and support each other."

The other members of the group tasked to deploy will leave at future dates to more than seven locations throughout Europe and Southwest Asia.