Rock hosts Airman, Marine reunion

Courtesy Photo | Airman 1st Class Malissa Mashburn and her father Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Jim Mashburn caught up on old times and spent the day together here at the "Rock" June 26.  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

08.02.2006

Courtesy Story

386th Air Expeditionary Wing

by Staff Sgt. Ryan Hansen
386th AEW/PA

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Most military members say 'goodbye' to family and friends when leaving for a deployment. However, one father and daughter were lucky enough recently to say 'hello' during theirs for the first time in more than a year.

Airman 1st Class Malissa Mashburn and her father Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Jim Mashburn caught up on old times and spent the day together here at the "Rock" June 26. Getting these two together more than 7,000 miles away from home took a little bit of luck and some strategy.

As a member of the 886th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron at Camp Bucca, Iraq, Airman Mashburn is only a few hours away from the headquarters of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing. So when she heard that her father would come through the "Rock" on his way back to the states for his two-week rest and recuperation leave, she thought she'd see what the possibilities would be for a reunion.

"I went into my chief's office to see if we could work something out," said Airman Mashburn, who is deployed from the 325th Security Forces Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. "And he said he would love to set it up for me."

"When she gave me the dates, I worked with her flight chief to ensure we could get her a couple of days off and I arranged her convoy transportation," said Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Omdal, manager of the 886th ESFS. "Having one of our Airman be afforded an opportunity to see her dad while deployed here is an awesome treat for all of us."

The newly planned reunion would be the first time the two had seen each other since April 2005 when they spent time together at her father's base in Twentynine Palms, Calif.

"I didn't know how easy or hard it would be for her to come up," Sergeant Major Mashburn said. "But when she told me that it should work out, I was very glad."

"It was like waiting for Christmas," Airman Mashburn said. "I was so excited."

Sergeant Major Mashburn is the Marine Corps sergeant major of the Regimental Combat Team 7 at Camp Al Asad, Iraq. His unit is training Iraqi military members and its police force so they can take control of their country.

"It's something the Marines enjoy doing," he said. "We know what freedom is and I think the people of Iraq are starting to sense that it's in their grasp."

Although his daughter grew up following him around the world as a military brat, he never thought he'd see her wearing a uniform.

"You want the best for your children and you want them to make their own decisions," said the 27-year Marine Corps veteran. "She could have done anything she wanted, but she saw the opportunities that the military has to offer and she saw that it was a chance for her to mature, so she took it. She's doing something that not every American is willing to do and I think she's done very well."

"The military is a great jumping off point in life," Airman Mashburn said. "If you don't know exactly what you want to do with your life and you want to get out and make a difference, the military is a great place to do that.

"And having my dad in the military my whole life just kind of showed me the way," she added.

Back home the life-long military family is supported by Airman Mashburn's mother and wife of Sergeant Major Mashburn, Tina, and their oldest daughter, Judy Ann. While they are both very proud of their service, they do worry about them.

"It's a little nerve wracking for her, but she's very proud of us," Airman Mashburn said. "I know she misses us both."

"She'll get this one back home in about a month and then I'll follow suit," Sergeant Major Mashburn said. "Then we'll all get together and have a good time."

Here in the AOR Airman Mashburn works at Camp Bucca's Theatre Internment Facility. Although this is her second tour in just under three years, this deployment is different as she is providing security inside and outside the camp as well as securing prisoners. When the sergeant major learned that his daughter would be performing such a role outside of her normal career field, he understood that it's just part of the military.

"At first I thought, wait a minute, that's not what she initially came in for," he said. "But being around the Marine Corps, I'm used to change. I have confidence in the Air Force and how they train their people. Their leadership takes care of their people and I have confidence in her abilities."

As it turns out, Airman Mashburn loves the mission.

"I like it a lot better than my normal job," she said. "It's more exciting, the work is harder, but it's a great challenge."

During their reunion the two were so happy to see each other once again that there was hardly even a mention of any inter-service rivalry.

"There's always a little playful ribbing, but it's not too bad," Airman Mashburn said.

Airman Mashburn is scheduled to return home from her deployment in mid-September while her father will have six months to go upon his return from leave.

• Date Taken: 08.02.2006
• Date Posted: 08.02.2006 13:31
• Story ID: 7378
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)