Edwards Security Forces Augmentee team heads down range Published Dec. 8, 2010 By Kate Blais 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- An empty 42-passenger bus idled outside the 95th Air Base Wing Security Forces Squadron headquarters in the brisk pre-dawn of Dec. 3, waiting to transport eight of the 10 members of the 95th SFS Individual Mobilization Augmentee deployment team to Los Angeles International Airport. Despite the looming sense of departure and separation from family and friends, the mood among the eight 95th SFS IMA reservists was light-hearted. "I'm more nervous about the flight over," said Staff Sgt. Brian Tapia, 95th SFS, about his immediate feelings of his first deployment. "I hate flying." After expressing his apprehensions about flying, Sergeant Tapia's fellow team members didn't hesitate to draw up frightening in-flight scenarios, garnering laughs from those within ear-shot. The 95th SFS IMA deployment team is the first group of IMAs from Edwards to have been mobilized post Sept. 11 and has been ordered to by way of a Presidential Mobilization Order. "This team is making history," said Cindy Phillips, Air Force Flight Test Center reserve program officer. "They are the first all-reserve team [from the base] to deploy." The team will fly from LAX to Florida where they will complete Brave Defender training, a refresher course designed to simulate the challenges and dangers they might face in theater. The training lasts from Dec. 4 to Dec. 20, and within seven days after the training is complete the team will travel overseas. The team's final destination is Iraq, where they will conduct "air base defense" until June or July 2011. "I keep joking that I have a time share over there," said Tech. Sgt. Matthew Woody, 95th SFS, who is deploying to the Middle East for the fourth time. "I've deployed a bunch of times," said Tech. Sgt. Mike Ryan, 95th SFS, and a motorcycle police officer for the City of Glendale, Calif. "This is just another adventure." Although each Airman seemed optimistic about deploying, many expressed the fact that they'll be sad to be away from their families. "It's my first deployment so my wife is a nervous wreck," said Sergeant Tapia. "I'm really going to miss my wife and baby." With the holiday closing in, the Porras family surprised Master Sgt. David Porras with Christmas the night before he departed with his team. Porras is the 95th SFS IMA deployment team leader and a Los Angeles Police Department employee. "We wanted him to have Christmas," said Margie Porras, Sergeant Porras's wife. "My sons and I put up a tree, gave him gifts and made his favorite foods." Most 95th SFS IMA deployment team members hold jobs outside of the military, but each is well prepared to meet the challenges of the deployment. The team has conducted the week-long Expeditionary Combat Skills Training at Camp Corum here at Edwards. Although no longer offered, the training taught active duty troops preparing to deploy the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful and stay safe. "I had participants of the course, even some commanders, come back and tell me how great the team's instruction was," said Ms. Phillips. "Most of the IMAs make more money in their civilian jobs. It's love of their country, that's why they serve." Before their early morning departure from Edwards, the 95th SFS IMA deployment team had the opportunity to interact with their commanders and active duty counterparts. "Remember your training," said Maj. Gregory Jarmusz, 95th SFS Operations and Training officer. "This is your team. Look out for each other." "Thank you very much for your service," said Col. Gregory E. Schwab, 95th ABW commander. "We look forward to hearing stories when you get back." After good-byes and well wishes, the 95th SFS IMA deployment team made their way outside, through a receiving line of 95th SFS Airmen and boarded the idling bus. Just before 7 a.m. the Porras family stood side by side, waving, as the bus - now filled with Sergeant Porras and his team - pulled out of the gravel parking lot. "We're really going to miss him," said James Porras, 17, Sergeant Porras's son. "But we're really proud of him." Following are the members of the 95th SFS IMA deployment team: -MSgt. David Porras -MSgt. David O. Mata -TSgt. Joseph A. Marrone, Jr. -TSgt. Michael J. Ryan, Jr. -TSgt. Matthew J. Woody -SSgt. Shawn B. Butler -SSgt. Mark S. Parker -SSgt. Yvette M. Orellana -SSgt. Brian P. Tapia -SSgt. Saul Cardenas