European edition, Wednesday, November 19, 2003

Kent Harris / S&S Maj. Michael Krueger feeds his 11-month-old son, Jack, while wife and mother Shelly looks on Sunday. Krueger and other members of the 603rd Air Control Squadron are now in Iraq, beginning the first large-scale deployment of airmen from Aviano Air Base in the country since the fall of Saddam Hussein.

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy — There were plenty of hugs and kisses. More than a few tears. And hundreds and hundreds of cinnamon rolls.

The 603rd Air Control Squadron has deployed to Iraq, the first large-scale deployment of personnel from Aviano Air Base into the country since the fall of Saddam Hussein.

More than 100 members of the squadron left the base Sunday after saying goodbye to family members and friends. Their trip to Iraq was delayed by plane problems, but all members were reported safely in country Tuesday morning.

Lt. Col. Kristen Dolan, the squadron commander, said more troops would make their way downrange eventually, meaning a large chunk of the squadron would be in Iraq.

“I think everyone’s excited about an opportunity to support freedom and answer our nation’s call,” Dolan said.

She said the squadron would replace a stateside unit already in Iraq in part of the latest Air and Space Expeditionary Force rotation. But while thousands of airmen — including a handful from Aviano — have been deployed singly or in small groups from bases around the world, the 603rd is going in as a unit.

“When we deploy, it’s normal for us to deploy as a squadron,” she said.

Members of the 109th Air Control Squadron, a part of the Utah Air National Guard, are teaming up with the 603rd at a location that Dolan declined to disclose.

Another difference for the 603rd is that they’ll likely be staying longer than the three-month tour that most airmen in the country have been serving.

“It’s still to be determined, but it looks like it’ll be a little longer,” Dolan said.

Col. Bill Becker, the commander of the 31st Operations Group, promised squadron members that their families would be looked after. They had a few hours Sunday to say their final goodbyes while waiting in a hangar.

Breakfast was courtesy of Cinnabon, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service and the local commissary.

“We’re very proud of the 603rd,” Becker said. “[Iraq] is a dangerous place and our job is to make it less dangerous. Every one of these people is going to be playing a role in doing just that.”

Tech Sgt. Francis Carino is leaving behind four children: Francis Jr., Elijah, Lauryn and Andre.

“I’m sad leaving my family, but excited to be serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom,” he said.

“I’m proud of him,” said Vina Carino, his wife, adding that her husband has said a lot of goodbyes lately. “We had lots of phone calls from relatives last night.”

Becker said the 603rd is the first squadron from Aviano to deploy to Iraq, but he suspects that at least one of the two fighter squadrons on base will eventually get orders.

“I feel confident that’s going to happen,” he said.

Maj. Michael Krueger said goodbye to his wife Shelly and son, Jack, who is 11 months old.