Family, community, service: fifth deployment for 927th squadron commander

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Shawn Rhodes
  • 927th Air Refueling Wing public affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  A parent never forgets their child's first steps. For Maj. Bret Wedding, 927th Logistical Readiness Squadron commander, the memory is bittersweet. His 1-year-old daughter Lorelei's first steps were to hand him an American flag as he left for war.

"It's a serious business, serving my country," said Wedding as he prepared to depart for his fifth deployment. "I can't have a family as beautiful as mine if I'm not willing to do the hard stuff."

Wedding is a reservist with the 927th Air Refueling Wing, stationed in southern Tampa.

Like many reservists, he is familiar with leaving his business and family for frequent deployments. Since he and his wife, Cindy, were married, Wedding has been all over the world. Fortunately for him, this time his family is in good hands.

"I've been all over the country in the military, and Tampa is the most supportive community I've ever seen," Wedding said. "There's no way we could do what we needed to without people supporting us and our families."

While reservists accomplish their country's mission in every climate and place, families have to adjust to life without them. Cindy, like many spouses, understands the importance of what her service member does.

"I appreciate that he doesn't take his responsibility to his troops lightly," Cindy said. "I can't look at it like he's choosing to leave. He's choosing to go because of who he is and what he feels called to do."

As 927th LRS commander, Wedding is responsible for ensuring all his fellow Airmen have the equipment they'll need to accomplish their missions during their deployments.

Many employers worry about what would happen if their managers quit - in the military, all ranks are trained to do the job above them. As part of his duties, Wedding has to ensure that his unit continues to do what's needed during his absence.

"As a commander, I have an awesome responsibility to ensure the members and families of the team are cared for so we can focus on and accomplish our mission and be ready to defend against any foe. I have a lot of trust and faith in the people I'm leaving behind," Wedding said. "I trust they'll be able to keep things running when I'm gone."

John Sykes, 927th LRS honorary commander, is a member of the Tampa community and is a local business owner. He has faith in Wedding and his troops.

"Any time a leader is taken from his team, you're going to miss him," said Sykes. "Wedding's people like and respect him, and they'll do what they need to do to get the job done."

Sykes believes a lot can be determined about a person by how they act. When he first met Wedding, he was immediately impressed by his honest and personable nature.

"Wedding impressed me as a young man who knows what he wants to accomplish and you don't have to second guess his word," Sykes said of their first meeting. "That's a very important quality to have in business and in life."

It was that same outgoing quality that attracted Cindy when she and Brett attended university together. Years later, she watches as her husband loads his last bag into his car and prepares to leave for months. Her children stand at her feet outside their picket fence, waving small American flags and telling Brett to return home safe.

"I hope the kids continue with their lives and keep growing," Cindy says as she looks down at her children. She added, "Grow, but not too much."

As Brett looked into the rearview mirror for one last glimpse of his family, he focused on the months ahead that would undoubtedly be lonely and challenge his resolve.

"I love serving my country," Brett said. "I'm grateful for the life it's allowed me and my family to live. At the heart of it all I am merely a fellow citizen Airman who is privileged to serve."