20th Bomb Squadron Returns Home

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Members of the 20th Bomb Squadron here returned home Dec. 4 following a four-month deployment to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in support of the Continuous Bomber Presence mission.

The Buccaneers and members of the 2nd Maintenance Group were supplemented by Airmen from the 343rd Bomb Squadron, a reserve unit here.

"This was my first deployment," said Capt. Sarah Lowry, 20 BS. "It was exciting to see a new part of the world and to participate in various training missions."

During the deployment, the 20 BS participated in many events including RED FLAG-Alaska, a realistic 10-day air combat training exercise. During the exercise, multiple services, vehicles, personnel and aircraft participated in combat scenarios. The event gave participants situational experience that will help them whenever they face similar situations in a hostile environment.

The 20 BS also dropped ordnance on an island range near Guam for practice. The Buccaneers were also able to participate in several air shows for people in the region. The B-52H Stratofortress Bombers would fly over the crowd displaying their impressive size and capabilities. One of the shows was in Seoul, Korea.

"We flew from Guam, did a flyover, and returned back to Guam," said 1st Lt. Joshua King, 20 BS.

Even though the deployment had plenty of perks, Airmen were still away from their loved ones and the things they liked to do most.

"I missed the little things, like my house and driving," said Lowry. "It was also difficult to contact my family because of the time difference."

Living together for four months allowed members of the 20 BS to have plenty of memorable moments with each other. Some of the moments resulted in Airmen receiving their call-signs. Call-signs are nicknames given to the aircrew and are used as often as the Airmen's given names. The call-sign can be mission related or related to something funny they did.

"More than 15 aircrew members received call-signs," Lowry said. "One captain received "Shatter" for breaking a few windows, while another received "Hazard" for being a hazard to herself and others."

Inspiration for call-signs can also come from the entertainment industry.

"The call-sign I received was "Grylls" from the 'Man vs. Wild' television series," said King. "I received it during a crazy wilderness adventure in a jungle in Guam."

This was King's second deployment, but his first while on active duty. He was previously deployed in 2004 to Qatar as a F-16 weapons loader as a member of the Air National Guard.

"It was easier being away from family with Skype access," he said. "My wife handled this deployment well. Keeping in touch helped it go by smoothly."

Even when talking with family, the Airmen were always on alert.

"At any time we can be called to perform a mission," said King. "It gives us a sense of purpose being out there especially when the time comes that we are needed."

The 23rd Bomb Squadron from Minot Air Force Base, N.D. is now in Guam. The 20 BS will eventually go back and help support the CBP mission again. In the meantime, they are back on Barksdale training hard every day.