Individual augmentees honored

"According to central command, there are 14,400 boots on the ground in theater and there are 5,000 more that are on ships at sea in the same area of responsibility. So, you all have certainly done your part and I could not be more proud of you. But while you were off doing a great service to our nation, you had to leave your family behind, so we also honor the sacrifices that your families made while you were deployed," said Scorby.

"This is our third IA Appreciation Luncheon and prior to today, we've honored 253 IAs and 90 spouses. This event does not happen without the support of the Navy League. About 18 months ago, Bill Dudley came to me and asked what they could do to help our Sailors and that's when we decided to start holding these special IA luncheons. Since the first in April 2008, not only has this idea gone to the tri-base area, but nationwide," said Scorby.

ATC(AW) Williams Sears of VR-58 talks about how successful his individual augmentee tour was thanks to the support of his family during the luncheon.

Also attending the luncheon was U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R-Fla.), who expressed his gratitude to the Sailors and their families.

"Thank you for your commitment, thank you for your love of country. I travel a great deal and get to meet a lot of military members and I can tell you I'm never more proud to be a congressman and never more proud to be an American than when I'm in the company of heroes like you all today," remarked Crenshaw.

"Individual augmentees, I want you to know that you are appreciated. I understand the commitment and the dedication. You get pulled out of your normal routine, go off with little fanfare, you come home alone, not with little fanfare and it's a difficult deployment. Your family is alone as well. They don't get to share their loneliness with other members of a unit. I think we all really need to remember that the greatness of America is drawn from the blood and the sacrifice of those who have gone before us and those of you sitting here today."

ATC(AW) William Sears of VR-58, who returned in December from an IA tour in Afghanistan, also gave some remarks. "Without question, the most important thing during my IA tour was my wife, Faith, supporting me every step of the way. Two days after Christmas 2007, I received a phone call from my command saying we had a requirement to fill an IA billet. After conferring with my wife, we decided I would go," stated Sears. "I was gone almost a year. My 5-year-old son said, 'dad the only thing I want for Christmas is for you to come home.' What we're doing over there is important but more importantly, it's the family support that keeps us going."

Rear Adm. Bill Moran, commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group, discusses the important role individual augmentees (IA) play during the war on terror during the bi-annual NAS Jax IA Luncheon April 7.

Guest speaker Rear Adm. Bill Moran, commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group, said, "We have more Sailors in the Middle East serving on land than we do at sea. The vast majority are IAs, which says an awful lot about the Navy's commitment to the joint fight and the joint nature of our services today. But in my mind it also speaks to the character and culture of naval service. I like to think about it in the terms of attitude and teamwork," said Moran.

"I recently heard from a commander in Afghanistan and asked him what's it like for him and the Airmen, Soldiers, Marines and Sailors who are working for him. He responded, 'we look for no recognition, we shy away from the headlines and our job is simply to make ourselves obsolete while making a difference in the lives of thousands less fortunate citizens of this country.' That to me is attitude. The Sailors we salute here today are just like those he serves with - those who are in the desert sands of Iraq and mountaintops of Afghanistan to the Horn of Africa, Kuwait, Kosovo and the Philippines in an IA capacity. Their presence in all of these countries has truly made a difference."

"The attitude and teamwork that the naval service brings to the fight is valued by every commander anywhere around the world. It's truly extraordinary and it's what will make you successful wherever you go. And, if you bring that attitude and teamwork back to your units and I know you have, you'll make that unit that much stronger," added Moran.

SK2(AW/SW) Augustina Medina of Fleet Industrial Supply Center Jax, center, is congratulated by from left, NAS Jax Commanding Officer Capt. Jack Scorby Jr., Bill Dudley, president of the Northeast Florida Navy League, Congressman Ander Crenshaw (R-FL) and Rear Adm. Bill Moran, commander, Patroll and Reconnaissance Group for her service as an individual augmentee during the luncheon.

"Tours like this can be life-changing. Your stories evoke great pride and personal and professional satisfaction and almost without exception, your experiences have tested your character."

Moran continued, "This tour was also very different for your spouses. It was hard because it was unfamiliar and potentially more dangerous for the deployed member, therefore you worried more. But just like your loved ones who were deployed and had to overcome anxiety and fear, you too deserve a lot of credit for overcoming. You also relied on attitude and teamwork. So today, you and your family members have our gratitude and deep admiration for what you've accomplished and sacrificed."

AT3(AW) Jordan Lawrence of Fleet Readiness Center Southeast said, "I think this is really nice and I appreciate the recognition."

Each IA was presented with a special plaque and coin from the Northeast Florida Navy League Council and thank-you letters from Crenshaw, Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) and Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.). Each spouse was also presented with a letter of appreciation and a rose.

As the IAs gathered for the luncheon, a special slide show displayed photos of them on their IA assignments, stirring many memories as they reminisced about their time in the war zone.