One family, two missions

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Over the last several days U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Ryan Macri spent as much time with his wife and two kids as possible.

He's not on vacation or on a trip for a couple of weeks.

Macri, a 606th Air Control Squadron radio frequency transmission journeyman, left for his first deployment since joining the Air Force. 

With their goodbye hugs and kisses over, the family understands the next several months will be tough. Macri won't be the only with a mission, his wife Ashley will be in charge of raising their two children.

"I am most worried about trying to keep everything under control here, the kids have a lot of activities and I am finishing school," Ashley said. "It's a lot to do at once."

Her checklist includes school and their children, but another priority is supporting Ryan, she said.

"We are going to make sure he can communicate with the children," she said. "We will send him care packages and keep him up-to-date on everyday things around the house and make sure he's aware that everything here is taken care of and he doesn't need to worry about it."

Ryan said he struggled with the thought of leaving his two children, eight and four, behind once they understood he was going to be gone.

"With their age, they don't really understand," Ryan said. "But as it gets closer and closer [to my departure], my son is starting to understand a little more and asking me not to go. My daughter is asking me just to stay home. It's pretty rough."

Ryan may be gone for now, but his family is counting the days until his return and they can all embrace once more.

"I am excited to serve my country and do the things I am trained to do, because I know the deployment is going to go fast and I'll see my family soon," he said.