Families Say Goodbye as Alaskan Units Deploy to Middle East

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska, Aug. 30, 2005 – About 100 servicemembers from the Air Force and the Alaska Army National Guard deployed from here, headed for the Middle East, early this morning.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Brandon Raanes, his wife, Jessie, and daughter, Ashley, 1, share a few moments before Raanes leaves for Kuwait Aug. 30. Raanes is part of the 3rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. His son, Dillan, 3, was also there to see Dad off. Photo by Samantha L. Quigley

Semper Fi