Fairchild SNCO deployed during Father’s Day: Protecting lives, assets

Published June 14, 2011
By Scott King
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- For one Fairchild Airman, this won't be the first time he's been deployed supporting a contingency during Father's Day - it will be his third.
     Master Sgt. Jason Seibel, 92nd Security Forces Squadron, is currently deployed to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, in support of a joint expeditionary tasking with the U.S. Army 1st Calvary Division. He, along with other security forces, is responsible for the safety and security of more than 36,000 people.
     "Being away from my family is always hard, no matter what time of the year it is," Sergeant Seibel said. "When we deploy, we're going to miss holidays whether it's Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries or Father's Day, but it's what I signed on the dotted line to do, and if missing Father's Day with my kids means I'm making them proud by serving our country - then that's what needs to be done."
     This is his second deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, but his first time actually in Afghanistan.
     "I feel like we have a positive impact on the Afghan people every day," he explained. "They are all around us, even on the airfield. There is a small clinic where local villagers are treated, and it's always nice to stop by there and see the children. They're always happy to see us, and seeing them makes me think about my kids back at Fairchild."
     Sergeant Seibel and his wife Anabel have four children; 13-year-old Connor, 11- year-old Kendall, 4-year-old Mason and the newest addition to their family, 14-month-old Isabel.
     Connor, an 8th grader at Salk Middle School, is very proud of his dad.
     "I'm proud of dad because I know that it's a job that not everyone wants to do but he does it anyway," Connor said. "I'm glad he's helping the people in Afghanistan, but I miss beating him at Guitar hero and hanging out with him - I love him very much and happy Father's Day dad!"
     Sergeant Seibel's oldest daughter, a 6th grader at Ridgeview Elementary school, hopes her father is back for her birthday.
     "I am so proud of the work that he does for the Air Force every day," Kendall said. "I don't like that he has to be gone so much, but I know he's a hard worker and he is happy serving his country. I miss him teaching me to play guitar, and him screaming at the TV while he watches football. I can't wait for him to come home - I hope that he is home for my birthday!
     His youngest son, Mason, misses playing with his daddy and Isabel celebrated her first birthday during his deployment. Thanks to Skype, she video chats with him and shows him all the new things she learns every day.
     Sergeant Seibel is also missing his family life back home.
     "The thing I'm missing most right now is heading out to Lake Roosevelt and swimming with the kids and playing in the water with them and the dog," he said."I know the weather in Spokane is getting nice and I will miss out on some barbequing with my family. Another thing that I think about is seeing all the changes my little one, Isabel, is going through. She's just about to walk and not being there for that is tough."
     His wife, Anabel, is finding things harder than she thought they would be during his absence.
     "It has been harder than I thought," she said. "Essentially I've become a single parent and have had to run everything by myself. Having a full time job and a household to run, and not having Jason here to help is definitely a challenge. On the flip side, this has shown me that I'm a strong woman capable of anything. I've also made some wonderful friends on base. I have been able to connect with them because they understand what I am going through.
     "No matter how far away he is on this Father's Day, he is always in our hearts. We can't wait for him to come home," she said. "Even though we've been apart, I believe in a way, it has made us stronger. When he gets home, we can look back and say 'wow, if we made it through this, we can make it through anything."
     Sergeant Siebel would like for things to be a little different for his kids when they grow up.
     "I truly love and miss all my kids and wife, but I know what I'm doing on the other side of the world is important work," he explained. "Ultimately, I hope my kids grow up in a world where they don't have to miss a Father's Day with their children because they're on the other side of the world serving their country - I hope things will be different for them - I hope the world will be different."