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The faces behind masked service

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ryan Sanders
  • 150th Special Operations Wing

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. – Members of the 150th Special Operations Wing fill in anywhere needed during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that all New Mexicans have what they need.

With many jobs to do in response to the health crisis, Airmen from the Wing work with Soldiers to staff the New Mexico National Guard Joint Task Force mission. Although their faces are covered, the words “U.S. AIR FORCE” are still proudly visible over their hearts. These words represent different things to different people but are rooted in the core value “Service Before Self.”

Service members demonstrate this daily through their service to the nation and state.

Airmen have worked to provide aid across the state, putting in thousands of collective hours to support local communities. Some of the work is more visible, such as the 150th Mission Support Group and 210th RED HORSE Squadron working together to load and deliver over 12,000 pounds of food and water to the Zia Pueblo northwest of Albuquerque. Such deliveries have also provided COVID-19 test kits and personal protective equipment (PPE) all across the state.

New Mexico activated six Airmen from the 150th SOW. Their missions have included driving over 4,000 miles with deliveries to various New Mexico communities and providing vital information about the pandemic to travelers at airports. The correspondence came from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office to let travelers know their part in keeping the citizens of New Mexico safe.

The concept of “Service Before Self” is evident in these Airmen’s actions. On Easter Sunday, members of the 150th Mission Support Group worked in the Unit Control Center to manage and maintain constant readiness, addressing the needs throughout the mission.

Being away from home and family during this holiday, the Airmen worked as usual and completed yet another food delivery. The 150th Force Support Squadron commander, along with others, took the extra step to provide food for those hard at work over the holiday.

The 150th Special Operations Wing proudly serves anywhere needed.