Newsletter from TJ to the families about the Deployment

Every month the Battalion puts out a newsletter to the families about what is going on with each company. I have copied and pasted Alpha Company's (TJ's Company) so everyone can get an idea of what is going on over there.

Mustang families & friends,

We have all made it to Bagram, Afghanistan successfully and could not have done it without your support and help over the last few intense months. The last few months prior to a deployment are full of change and long days and I thank each and every one of you for your patience and contributions. Because of your support your family member is fully prepared to take on this challenging mission.

First I would like to congratulate Pedro and Sunny Gonzalez on the birth of their beautiful little girl, Sole. You two have a blessing from God, and all the Mustang’s send their congratulations!SPC Washington and SPC Sullivan’s families also deserve congratulations. SGT Washington was promoted on 1 February, and I can not think of anyone more deserving. SGT Washington is a tremendous asset to our team and he definitely deserves this promotion and recognition. SPC Sullivan along with Brandi has made the decision for him to reenlist and continue to serve. I know that they will enjoy the benefits of a tax free bonus, but money is just part of it and they are both committed to making sacrifices for the good of the nation. I thank both of you for your commitment to service.

Getting to Afghanistan and getting set up was no easy task. Every soldier has worked extremely hard and I could not be prouder. All of the soldiers on the advanced party did a superb job and were completely ready to receive the rest of us. WO1 Semi Lemafa really stepped into multiple different lanes and proved to be an invaluable asset as a pilot and especially in the administrative task required to set a unit up for success.

I also have to thank the other early deplorers that escorted our aircraft through Rota, Spain. They could not have done a better job. Especially SGT Bullock and the other crew chiefs that worked tirelessly rebuilding our aircraft and helping the 10th Mountain fold their aircraft for redeployment. I know it was difficult for all the families of the early deplorers, but you should know that we would not have been ready to receive the mission without their efforts.We completely took over the mission on 27 January, and have not looked back.

Since arrival we have flown over 400 hours on several different mission types. Mustangs have flown missions supporting troop movements, ammo re-supply, MEDEVAC operations, VIP missions to include the Secretary of Defense, and several other general support missions. While conducting these missions the instructors have still continued to train crewmembers on gunnery, high altitude operations, and emergency GPS approaches. Needless to say our maintainers have stayed busy keeping aircraft up and safe to operate. Maintenance is definitely the center of all operations here and our maintainers are responding to the challenge. The maintenance test pilots, platoon sergeants, crew chiefs, and door gunners have been working long tireless hours, but it pays off everyday when we are able to launch and support our mission.

Everyone is doing great work and morale is still very high. We have a great team of soldiers that are dedicated to the mission but also know how to have fun. It is going to be a long year no matter how you look at it, but we are focused in the right direction and with your continued support we will get through it a day at a time.

Please continue to stay in contact with Julie if there are changes to your contact information. Julie and I are here to help with any problem that comes up so please don’t hesitate to contact either one of us. You should all be very proud of your family member and the Mustang team, they are all true professionals. 1SG and I are truly proud to serve with this team, and to be associated with you. Continue to send the mail and care packages and thanks for everything that you do for us in the states.

Mustangs, Let’s Ride!


Tyson J. Hise
Commander