Maintainer receives pin on from pilot spouse in Iraq

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Shannon Collins
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq --  An F-16CJ pilot from Misawa Air Base, Japan, searches the land for suspicious activity. A joint tactical air controller working with an Army convoy calls in for support - the convoy of troops is receiving small arms fire from the side of the road. While the Army counters with mortars, the pilot and his flight lead look for the enemy and put out several flares for a show of force. The convoy returns safely back to base, and as the pilot returns from his first combat sortie, his wife, a maintenance officer, is there to catch him.

Capt. Lena Freienmuth, 14th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron assistant officer in charge with the 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, not only had the chance to launch and recover her husband, but after he taxied in, engine still running, he re-administered the officer's oath of office and read her promotion order to her May 28 via a communication cord.

After engines shut down, Capt. Eric Freienmuth, 13th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, pinned on his wife's captain bars. The two Air Force Academy graduates are swapping out air expeditionary force rotations. Between pre-deployment training and the deployments, the two had expected to not see each other for at least 10 months. Fortunately, the female captain's squadron rotation was delayed by a few weeks. Her husband was thrilled.

"I was so glad I was the one who got to promote her here because we were lucky enough to at least get a couple weeks of overlap between our AEF rotations," he said. "We didn't even know if we would get to see each other during the change out before she deployed. It was just great that this worked out to have two weeks together, and she got to launch and recovery me on my first combat sortie."

Though the maintainer was promoted on Memorial Day, the Farmington, Ark., native honored the holiday separate.

"Memorial Day is a time to honor our brothers and sisters who have fallen in arms, and I cannot begin to explain how grateful I am for those who have given the greatest sacrifice. I've looked at my promotion and Memorial Day separate, because putting on captain cannot compare to what these Airmen, Soldiers, Marines and Sailors have faced," she said.

Airman 1st Class Bruce Smith, an assistant dedicated crew chief with the 332nd EAMXS, is proud of his captain.

"Captain Freienmuth does an excellent job, working in the maintenance field. It seems like she always wants to learn more about the aircraft, along with learning what everyone's job is on the aircraft," he said.

The two have been married for almost two years, and this is Capt. Lena Freienmuth's second deployment. Capt. Eric Freienmuth said being apart helps him appreciate his wife.

"It makes me truly appreciate how special my wife is," he said. "It makes the time we do have together that much more valuable, and I know when I get home, we will both have a greater appreciation of our lives together."

The humble maintainer, daughter of a retired master sergeant, joined because, "I always thought military service was one of the most honorable jobs in the world," she said.

Her husband worried about her being at Balad, but knew she was well protected.

"It was tough being at home and hearing of the attacks on the base, but she did a good job of e-mailing me, so that I knew she was all right. I just hope I can do the same for her," he said.

"Showing up here and seeing my wife lead more than 150 Airmen in maintaining the aircraft in a combat zone made me very proud of her. Her unit has set a great precedent," he said. "It is great to be taking over from a unit that has done so well, especially knowing my wife had a hand in their success."

As the maintainer heads home, the pilot's mission continues. He gears up and steps to his aircraft, ready to provide close air support for the next four months.