Caring - 945th AMXS gives Airmen 'rock star' status with pre/post deployment support Published Aug. 20, 2014 By Ellen Hatfield 349th Public Affairs TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- You don't have to look far in the 349th Air Mobility Wing to find strong advocates of the Reserve's Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program. A group of recent re-deployers from the 945th AMXS give the program big thumbs up for supporting them before, during, and after their deployment to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, Southwest Asia. Master Sgt. James Boston, Tech. Sgts. Kizer Davidson and Tony Untal, Staff Sgt. Kyle Meyerdick and Senior Amn. Kimberly Gossett deployed with their group in October of 2013, returning in April of 2014. The credit for getting them to the YRRP pre- and post- deployment events, as well as their mandatory Transition Assistance Program briefings, goes to Lt. Col. Joseph Orcutt, squadron commander, and Master Sgt. Doris Phillips, first sergeant. Said Chief Master Sgt. Bill Morrissey, squadron superintendent, "I went to both myself with my deployment, and I can't foot-stomp their importance enough -- we'll get them there, it's that important." Boston, Davidson, and Gossett all went to the same YRRP pre-deployment event in Orlando, Florida, and post- event in Washington, D.C., which Meyerdick and Untal attended as well. For Gossett and Untal, on their first deployment, they got invaluable military benefits help. "I learned a lot about benefits, I had no idea," said Gossett. "And the Four Lenses communication event helped me understand about relationships, mental health, and more." Untal said the classes were good, and it was good to unwind. Meyerdick, a third-time deployer and prior active duty, also praised the Four Lenses event, saying he learned a lot about operating in a joint environment, and communicating with others across the spectrum. A two-time deployer, Davidson said the Orlando and D.C. events helped him and his family prepare. "I got myself and them prepared with the first event, and the post event helped me reintegrate with them after I got back," he said. "I refreshed my communications skills, and it helped me keep my anxiety level down." Kizer added, "Some are on their fifth, sixth deployment, but each one is a different situation, and you react differently. That's where the program comes in." All are still in the window to do one more post Yellow Ribbon event, offered within six months of a return from deployment. Several would like to do so, saying there is still more they could learn about benefits, and about themselves, and reintegrating. Vital to the success of the 945th AMXS deployers are their Key Spouses. Morrissey gave all the credit to them, for the networking, and keeping families informed, not just during their Airmen's' deployments, but about everything. Senior Master Sgt. Darren Thews was the team leader for this group of deployers, and his wife, Cathy, has been a key spouse for the squadron since the program's inception. Morrissey said two more of his volunteer deployers left recently, and another is slated to leave soon, and he made sure they got the same opportunities for the Yellow Ribbon events as Boston, Kizer, Untal, Meyerdick and Gossett. "These guys, and gals, stepped up to volunteer to give our active duty partners a break, and I couldn't be prouder of them, and their contributions to the associate relationship." For more information on the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program visit: http://www.yellowribbon.mil.