Contracting officer sees newborn son for first time through VTC

Courtesy Photo | Theresa Ahlgren holds her newborn son and 2-year-old son at Mike O’Callaghan Medical Center Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 2, 2014.  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

03.23.2014

Story by Maj. Khalid Cannon 

380th Air Expeditionary Wing

UNDISCLOSED LOCATION - An airman here welcomed the birth of his son from nearly 8,000 miles away last month, with the help of video teleconferencing through his wife’s smart phone.

1st Lt. Doug Ahlgren, 380th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron, who is originally from Cook, Minn., wasn’t able to see Armas’ birth because no media devices were allowed in the operating room while his wife Theresa delivered on Jan. 2.

Ahlgren, who is deployed from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., said his son was peeking out at the phone the first time he saw him.

“I’m very excited to hold him for the first time,” said Ahlgren, who has a 2-year-old son as well. “He’ll be almost five months old, and it’s going to be pretty amazing.”

Immediately following the birth, Theresa received help from her parents until she recovered, and after a month she was caring for both children by herself.

“I really appreciate that members of my squadron have been visiting and helping her,” said Ahlgren. “It will be good getting home so I can be there for her. I plan on spending a few weeks at home and then will fly back to Minnesota to spend time with both our families at a cabin near my hometown.”

Ahlgren and Theresa had to overcome challenges when their first child, Douglas, was born premature in 2011 while assigned to Misawa Air Base, Japan.

One week after Douglas’ birth, Ahlgren and his family were medically evacuated to Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii.
For four months, Douglas was required to remain at the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit. But, Ahlgren said, he’s doing fine now.

“Not being able to take him home every night prepared me for this separation,” he said.

• Date Taken: 03.23.2014
• Date Posted: 03.23.2014 03:46
• Story ID: 122406
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)
• Hometown: COOK, MN, US