Expeditionary Airmen serving those who serve

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Cassandra Locke
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
In an effort to show their appreciation for hard work and efforts, Airmen from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing have been volunteering to serve food to the operations personnel at the base's containerized deployable kitchen.

Chaplain (Capt.) Kevin Humphrey, 380th AEW chaplain, volunteered to serve food several times since he's been deployed from Seymour.

"I used to work in food services before coming into the military and understand how difficult a job it is and how thankless," Chaplain Humphrey said. "so I like to volunteer to let them know with my words and my actions that I genuinely appreciate what they bring to the fight."

The chaplain's goal is to make Airmen laugh, and by doing that he will ask if they want "camel spider" or "deep fried dove" for their entree.

"It is such a great way to quickly touch base with people and get a real pulse for the morale of the wing," Chaplain Humphrey said. "I also enjoy trying to make them laugh and brightening their day."

He said that little things like a smiling face and a bright attitude can have a tremendous impact on someone's day. He also thinks sometimes people get so far removed from the wing mission, they forget what it is about.

"All of us do our jobs to put planes in the air so we can put bombs on target or be the eyes in the sky," Chaplain Humphrey said. "However, we forget when we do not venture over to the flightline what the true mission really is and we have a tendency to have a narrow perspective solely focused on what we do and not the mission as a whole."

For Staff Sgt. John Geer, 380th AEW chaplain assistant deployed from Seymour, he volunteers because he likes helping people and is concerned about the morale and well-being of the Airmen.

"This opportunity gave me chance to have fellowship with those I don't see as often as I would like," Sergeant Geer said.

Prior to being a chaplain's assistant, he worked on the flightline with the B-52 aircraft.

"I think it's important to serve over there because it shows appreciation and improves relations," Sergeant Geer said. "Sometimes it is hard to get help for yourself with anything that may be going on in your life because you're concentrating on the mission and using the core value of service before self to stay late, skip meals and so much more, that when someone can come out to you and lend a helping hand, and an open ear it means a lot."

The chaplain staff also delivers popsicles on the flightline.

For Capt. Michelle McKinney, 380th AEW deployed from Scott Air Force Base, Ill., volunteering her time keeps her humble.

"I think it's important to understand what some of the other career fields do on a daily basis, especially those that are often taken for granted," she said.

While all Airmen here work long hours everyday with their respective operations and responsibilities, Airmen are taking the time to serve those who serve - reiterating that we are wingmen at home and abroad.