First 944th Mission Support Group deployment a success

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Angela Morrison
  • 944th Mission Support Flight
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Seventy-six members of the 944th Mission Support Group deployed June 2 through 11 to Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, for annual tour training.

The 944th team, which included members from logistics readiness, services, security forces, military personnel, civil engineer and communications, assisted the 15th Mission Support Group at Hickam.

"With six diverse units and missions, there hasn't been much opportunity for (the mission support group) to deploy together as a group," said Col. Sharon Sounhein, 944th MSG commander. "This was a first for the 944th MSG. It was great for us to work together as one team, get to know one another, and appreciate each other's contributions while in a deployed setting."

During the 10-day deployment, the 944th team accomplished numerous tasks, which impacted nearly every support function at Hickam. The logistics personnel processed cargo packages totaling more than 70,000 pounds and repaired and operated heavy equipment. The civil engineer squadron readiness and explosive ordnance personnel provided critical training to their 15th CES counterparts.

The 944th MSG team also provided personnel support in the Military Personnel Flight customer service, spent more than 20 hours assisting the flight medicine clinic, provided 12-hour security forces patrol shifts and 24-hour shift firefighter support, and augmented the dining facilities' staffs.

Morale and camaraderie also came in the form of exercise as several units participated in physical conditioning programs alongside their active-duty counterparts.

"I'm thrilled with the overall success of this deployment," Colonel Sounhein said. "It was a great experience for all and we've already started the initial planning discussion for next year's MSG annual tour deployment."