Courtesy Photo | Chaplain (Col.) Steven McCain, Pacific Air Force command chaplain (second from left)...... read more read more
By Major Joel Seppala, operations officer, Task Force Talon, 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam – “The eyes of the Lord are everywhere…” so it is written in Proverbs 15:3. Thanks to the dedicated ministry of the 36th Wing chaplains on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, the Soldiers of Task Force Talon, 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command have a continuous reminder of this biblical assertion.
Task Force Talon, which is comprised of a Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery, a security forces unit, and a small signal element, operates on Northwest Field, Guam to deter ballistic missile threats to Guam or if deterrence fails, to neutralize the threat.
When Task Force Talon first activated as a provisional unit, members of both the 94th AAMDC command and unit ministry team recognized the need to provide religious coverage for Soldiers serving on Northwest Field.
“When Task Force Talon was first created the decision was made that instead of providing the unit with its own organic religious support assets which could provide direct coverage, the task force would depend on the existing religious support structure providing what is known as area coverage,” said Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Seppala, the senior religious affairs noncommissioned officer-in-charge, 94th AAMDC.
Both the 36th Wing command and its higher headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, recognize the importance of providing religious support to the task force Soldiers.
“We definitely do our best to extend support to warriors of any service whenever possible. The 36th Wing commander wants to offer the very best care to all the warriors from any branch of service on Andersen AFB,” said Chaplain (Col.) Steven McCain, Pacific Air Forces command chaplain. “Our chapel team at Andersen is just an extension of that Team Andersen mentality.”
One of the primary ministers to the spiritual and related welfare needs of the Soldiers at Northwest Field is Chaplain (Capt.) Keith Manry, who was assigned responsibility for coverage of the task force upon his arrival to Andersen Air Force Base in July 2015.
Chaplain Manry has visited the Soldiers and Northwest Field regularly, served as the featured speaker at a task force prayer breakfast, and even hosted nine Soldiers at his home for Thanksgiving.
“[Chaplain Manry] agreed to provide whatever support he could to our Soldiers,” said Seppala. “[He] truly lived up to his word…All this Chaplain Manry has done out of the goodness of his heart and his genuine concern for Soldiers.”
Manry has drawn much from his experience in getting to know the Soldiers of Task Force Talon.
“I enjoy visiting the Soldiers whether at the headquarters or at the site and walking and talking to those I encounter there,” shared Manry. “I love hearing their stories. In the same way as it means a lot to me when someone stops to visit or to learn more about me.”
Manry’s commitment is reflective of the entire 36th Wing chapel team which has been selfless in their generous support to the unit through on-call emergency support, inspirational remarks at prayer breakfasts, invocations during ceremonies, and daily and weekly formal religious service attendance opportunities for Soldiers.
Chaplain McCain reflected on his recent visit to Task Force Talon.
“The most amazing thing about my visit was the attitude of the Soldiers. All of them had been up all night for an exercise. When I visited them well beyond their 24-hour shift, they were energetic, focused, and passionate about their mission. They modeled the very best of what it means to be a Soldier and a leader. I was so proud to be among such tremendous professionals.”
McCain concluded, “I wish America could have seen what my eyes saw during my visit. My prayer for the Task Force Talon Soldiers is that God would continue to bless them and their loved ones, reminding them that they are never alone and always deeply appreciated.”
| Date Taken: | 04.01.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 05.05.2016 17:30 |
| Story ID: | 197452 |
| Location: | ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, GU |
| Hometown: | ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, GU |
| Hometown: | DEDEDO, GU |
| Hometown: | FORT SILL, OK, US |
| Hometown: | HONOLULU, HI, US |
| Hometown: | JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 99 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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