Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
9:09 pm Monday, June 3, 2002

Guardsmen miss local events overseas

By Staff
WORKING HARD _ Mississippi Air National Guardsmen lay matting for a runway at a U.S. military base in an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. The guardsmen, members of the 186th Civil Engineering Squadron, are from left Maj. Eric Bratu, Master Sgt. Edward Davenport, Senior Airman Jameka Moore, Master Sgt. Billy Stokes, Senior Airman Donald Moore, Sgt. William McDonald, Master Sgt. Ronald Arthur and Sgt. Henry Ruffin. Submitted photo
By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
June 3, 2002
The only way Dwayne Reynolds could attend his oldest daughter's graduation from East Central Community College was by listening to it on a cell phone thousands of miles away.
If not for the help of his youngest daughter, the senior master sergeant with the Mississippi Air National Guard would have had to wait until he returned from a stint in Southwest Asia.
Reynolds and 60 other members of the 186th Civil Engineering Squadron missed other events from watching newborn children grow up to celebrating Mother's Day all while fighting the war on terrorism.
Earlier this year, they began their mission to help maintain and operate "Base X" a U.S. military base at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. The job is part of "Operation Enduring Freedom."
Guardsmen maintain base
Guardsmen, who were interviewed by e-mail, said they had to learn to maintain the mobile military base which consists of soft-sided structures such as tents and shelters.
The group was first deployed Feb. 26. The men and women of the 186th left family and friends behind for more than three months and traveled more than 7,000 miles to serve the country.
During their time overseas, the group has provided such day-to-day maintenance at the U.S. base as water, power, pest management and waste utilities.
Some work all night
Some guardsmen work through the night.
The group also keeps the heating ventilation and air conditioning system running at the base, where temperatures on the desert plain can sometimes reach up to 120 degrees.
Bratu said the group realizes the work is necessary.
Guardsmen miss events
Through it all, guardsmen said they've had to cope without seeing family and not participating in major events back home.
Reynolds, 42, said that he wished he could have seen his daughter graduate from ECCC rather than just listen to it on a cell phone. He said his wife took photos and got video footage.

Also on Franklin County Times
Thorpe to play at Blue Mountain Christian
High School Sports, News, Russellville, ...
Brannon King For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Brennon Thorpe made his plans official to attend Blue Mountain Christian University and play baseball for the Toppers during a recent s...
Russellville High Class of 1967 gathers, reminisces
Columnists, News, Opinion, ...
HERE AND NOW
July 16, 2025
You can’t really go back to the good old days of high school, but you can pay them a visit now and then. That’s exactly what the RHS Class of 1967 has...
Former Cypress Lakes official to lead Guntersville State Park
Lifestyles, News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
GUNTERSVILLE — Heath Puckett had an Auburn University degree and golf course superintendent certification in his pocket when he arrived at Cypress Lak...
European travel builds bonds across cultures
Lifestyles, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- A group of Franklin County travelers spent nine days this summer walking through catacombs, exploring castles and standing in places w...
Little Free Library welcomes readers in East Franklin
Lifestyles, News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Eleven-year-old Aiden Hall is an avid reader, but he doesn’t just want to read books. He also wants to share them, and the way he deci...
King becomes elementary curriculum director
Lifestyles, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELVILLE — Molly King says every child can learn, though not necessarily in the same way or on the same day — a belief she plans to carry into her ...
New Junior Leaders begin their training
Franklin County, News
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
FRANKLIN COUNTY — Forty-two high school students from across Franklin County are beginning 10 months of hands-on leadership training and community ser...
Fire destroys 2-story garage, guest suite
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
R U S S E L LV I L L E – Jason Gist leaned against the wall of his home with a look of disgust while dozens of firefighters worked to extinguish a fir...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Stories
July 4, 2025Augusto Simon Diaz, 42, of Russellville, passed away July 4. Visitation and funeral were held at Spry Memorial Chapel on July 12 from 2pm ...
July 16, 2025
July 8, 2025Jamie Kerby Cummings, 41, of Russellville, passed away on July 8. Visitation took place July 13, at Spry Memorial Chapel from 1 pm to 3pm....
July 16, 2025
July 11,2025Julie “JuJu” Welch Black, 63, of Russellville, passed away on July 11.Graveside service was held at 1pm on July 13, at Belgreen Cemetery w...
July 16, 2025
July 9, 2025Scott Noel Benford, age 58, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on July 9. Visitation was held at Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville on July 1...
July 16, 2025