U.S. Navy photo by Darren Harrison Eighteen Individual Augmentees (IAs) based from across Naval District Washington were honored, along with their family members, at a Homecoming Celebration at the Washington Navy Yard on Oct. 29.

Commander of Naval Support Activity Washington (NSAW) Capt. John A. Sears said it is especially important to honor the IAs since they do not get to participate in the large celebrations that Sailors on a ship would usually encounter when their ship returns to its homeport.

‘‘It’s normal for the Navy to deploy as a units with that internal self support. that a unit offers. You deploy with those you train with, you serve with those you train with and you return home with those you train with,” Sears said. ‘‘IAs leave as individuals with their own individual skills and then they come home. The support services are not as robust. At this event, we want to make sure they understand that we know what they did for their country, we know what they did for the Navy and we want to thank them for their service.”

After being greeted at the U.S. Navy Museum where food and beverages were laid on for the IAs and their families, the IAs and family members walked to the Catering and Conference Center, with NSAW staff cheering them on, where they were each recognized individually.

Mass Communication Speciliats First Class Jerome Mapp, who deployed to Guantanimo Bay, said the celebration was an important recognition.

‘‘This event is wonderful and it’s important,” Mapp said. ‘‘A lot of time we come back as IAs and walking through the airport it’s usually just us and maybe one member of our family. This [event] shows the appreciation of the people on base, the base itself and the whole Naval District Washington community. So I really appreciate it.”

According to Sears the celebration is important not just to honor the IA service members, but also the family members who manage affairs at home while the IA is deployed.

‘‘We want to thank the families because it is that family that is left behind. While the service member is almost fully engaged the family has to wait and not necessarily with the strongest support system,” Sears said.

Logistics Specialist Third Class Mark A. Gonzalez, who was deployed on USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), said that one of the challenges of being an IA is the strain that it can put on a family.

‘‘This is my third deployment in five years so I have missed half my daughter’s life so I am trying to make up for that. My wife has had to take care of her and her job and everything the whole time I am gone so it’s a big strain on the family,” Gonzalez said.

Gas Turbine System Technician Senior Chief (SW) Mahendra Soogrim, who served at the event as Master of Ceremonies, said that NSAW holds IA Homecoming Celebrations every six months.

Sears said the event is open to every command that wants to participate.

‘‘This event captures those that have come back since our last homecoming celebration or were unable to attend the previous one,” Sears said. ‘‘We have had people who work as Navy civilians, called up by one of our sister service reserve components and deploy as a Marine, Soldier, Coast Guardsman or Airman.

This is open event, we welcome them and their families to participate.”