Air Guard troops deployed to Iraq

Families gather at Ellington Field to say farewell as loved ones brace for their mission

By PEGGY O'HARE
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

Ellington Field was the scene of tears, hugs and American flags Tuesday night as several hundred personnel from the 147th Fighter Wing of the Texas Air National Guard shipped out for Iraq.

The mission, at a time when the Pentagon is considering retiring all of the wing's F-16s, is to provide air support for ground troops. Personnel and pilots are expected to remain in Iraq until the early fall.

The mission's troop commander said the mood Tuesday night was a little anxious.

"You just want to get on the ground," said Lt. Col. David Alexander, who twice has been deployed to Iraq. "I'll just tell them to take care of each other ... to make sure that everybody who gets on the plane comes back."

Alexander said he's confident the mission will prove the value of the fighter wing since it is under consideration for budget cuts.

Some family members who served together in the 147th Fighter Wing will remain at each other's side during the deployment, including a father and daughter from southeast Houston and two brothers from League City.

Senior Airman Leah Saldivar, 20, of Houston, said she has a sense of relief knowing her father will be with her in Iraq. "We're going to be fine," she said confidently. "For me, it's like an adventure. It's a mission. We're going to complete it."

She joined the Texas Air National Guard two years ago, following the lead of her father, Master Sgt. Florencio Saldivar, 49, who has served for 22 years. "We're going to make our family proud," he said, beaming at his daughter.

Velma Saldivar, wife and mother of the father-daughter team, said she has a sense of peace, despite the continuing deaths in Iraq. Eight American troops were killed in a single day, Army and Marine officials said Tuesday, pushing the U.S. military death toll in Iraq past 1,800.

"I don't ignore it," she said of the death toll, "but I try to stay focused and stay positive."

League City brothers Michael and Matthew Roberts also are making the trip together. They appeared calm and composed while saying goodbye to family Tuesday night.

"I'm really proud that they're going to go together. I'm glad they're going to support each other," said their mother, Susan Roberts. "Their dad went to Vietnam and came back. And they'll come back."

Many of the personnel appeared firm and resolute while saying their goodbyes.

"We've got a job to do. I'm going so people can come back," said Tech Sgt. William Roy of Angleton, a father of three.

Tech. Sgt. James Mullinax, of Galena Park, has been sent on missions before, but this one was harder since he got married July 22.

"I have a bigger family now," said Mullinax, embracing his wife and daughters.

President Bush served at Ellington during his days in the Texas Air National Guard.

The Defense Department has recommended the F-16 jets be removed from Ellington Field to cut costs, but community leaders have opposed that move.

The Base Realignment and Closure Commission will make final recommendations to the president Sept. 8.

peggy.ohare@chron.com