Seymour Airman aids in humanitarian mission Published Nov. 6, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Marissa Tucker 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs CAMP BUCCA, Iraq -- An Airman deployed from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., is participating in a humanitarian effort to allow people to visit their detained family members at the Theater Internment Facility in Camp Bucca, Iraq. Staff Sgt. John Sieck from the 4th Security Forces Squadron is deployed to the 586th Air Expeditionary Group, which is in charge of security operations at the detainment center. Airmen work with the Iraqi military to keep the peace at the detainment facility, which houses more than 20,000 detainees. "They're really appreciative of it all," Sergeant Sieck said."This is a positive mission that brings families together, and the detainees really look forward to being able to see their families. It's a different mission, one that I didn't expect when I arrived here, but it's enjoyable." Family members are allowed to visit the detainment center for two hours, and Airmen make sure the detainees dignity is maintained by removing their handcuffs before they are brought into the visitation area with their family. Small bonds are formed with the families who come to visit the detainment center, especially the people who visit frequently, Sergeant Sieck said. Airmen frequently play soccer with the children to help them become more relaxed. The jointly run detention facility reported receiving more than 750 visitors in an average week in 2007. Iraqi forces are being trained to run the facility in hopes of completely taking over operations of Camp Bucca. Editors Note: Staff Sgt. Vincent Borden, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs, contributed a significant portion of this article.