96 BS returns home as 20 BS heads out the door

Children wait for their family members to return home from a deployment in the Heritage Room at the 96th Bomb Squadron on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Aug. 5. The Airmen are returning from a deployment to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in support of the continuous bomber presence in the pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Chad Warren)(RELEASED)

96 BS returns home as 20 BS heads out the door

Family members greet their loved ones in the Heritage Room at the 96th Bomb Squadron on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Aug. 5. The Airmen returned from a deployment to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in support of the continuous bomber presence in the pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Chad Warren)(RELEASED)

96 BS returns home as 20 BS heads out the door

Published Aug. 5, 2011
By Staff Sgt. Larry Moore
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- After a four month deployment to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, the 96th Bomb Squadron is in the process of returning their personnel and aircraft back home. Taking their place is its sister unit, the 20th Bomb Squadron.

The 20 BS is the latest unit to go to Guam on a rotating deployment shared by the bomber squadrons from Minot Air Force Base, N.D., and Barksdale Air Force Base. Their mission is to provide continuous bomber presence and rotating forward deterrence in the Pacific.

While anxious families crowded the flight line here, eager to welcome home their loved ones, another group is saying goodbye--many of them tearful.

"I just got off the phone with my wife for the third time," said Airman 1st Class William Cowles, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, as he waits for his flight out. "She's been crying non-stop for hours."

Others though, while obviously hesitant to leave those they love behind, are more than ready for the challenge and the change of pace their upcoming deployment to Guam is going to bring.

1st Lt. Nicholas Burg, electronic warfare officer for 20 BS Buccaneers, is what he calls a "new Bucc," having only arrived at Barksdale a few months ago.

"I've been in training for three years, so it's definitely an opportunity I'm looking forward to," said Burg.

Also a newlywed, he and his wife are about to endure the longest separation of their five-year relationship.

"It's something we've always had in the back of our minds but we're both busy with our professional lives, so I think that's going to help."

Capt. Danielle Nickerson, B-52 navigator for the 20 BS , is also about to go on her first deployment.

"I'm a little nervous honestly, because it's my first time going anywhere outside the continental U.S.," said Nickerson.

However, Nickerson has more than that to be excited about; the wife of a B-52 pilot and mother of a two year old daughter at home at Barksdale, she faces the daily grind of juggling the duties of a demanding career and making time for family. After four years of being at Barksdale, she says she's happy to get some time away to concentrate on her career.

"I'm excited to finally do what I signed up for more than five years ago," she said laughing.

It's clear these deploying Airmen expect the four months away from home station will provide challenges. They are no strangers to high-tempo operations and working the long hours one of a bomber unit in Air Force Global Strike Command. That experience has created a camaraderie that should come in handy for their work ahead.

"We have a really tight group," said Burg. "It seems like a close-knit family, so I think it's going to be a great experience."

"The 20 BS works very hard," said Nickerson. "I think everyone is looking forward to the change. We have so many exercises and inspections, and we do very well, but a change of is pace and environment is good for any unit."