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Airmen return just in time for holidays

By Senior Airman Marissa Tucker, 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published December 20, 2011

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SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Many Seymour Johnson residents may have wished for snow this season but received an even better gift as more than 100 Airmen and 12 aircraft returned home after a deployment to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Dec. 20 and 21.

Aircrew, maintainers, support personnel and many Airmen in between arrived in style just in time for end-of-the-year holidays and festivities. Officials from the 4th Fighter Wing and several friends and families came out to show them just how much they were missed.

"They were sorely missed while they were gone and we are very glad to have them home," said Lt. Col. Scott Grover, 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander. "In the New Year, we have a very busy flying season and more deployments ahead of us, so this holiday season is a great time for our Airmen to decompress and prepare for that."

After leaving on the 10th anniversary of 9/11, the Airmen worked with the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing providing close air and logistical support to more than 20,000 servicemembers in Southwest Asia. Although more than 100 Airmen returned, the majority of the 335th Fighter Squadron and aircraft maintenance unit will remain downrange in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

"We had 26 Airmen return today and they are truly needed in the squadron," said Chief Master Sgt. Kevin McGill, 336th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron superintendent. "We can't wait for them to get back home and just enjoy their families."

When the notification of the redeployment came, supervisors began contacting family members of returning Airmen so they could be present when the group arrived. Family members and friends were both surprised and excited to learn their Airmen were returning and made no hesitation to come out and support them, no matter how far the drive.

"I was so excited when they called me and said Taylor was coming home," said Katrina Johnson, wife of Airman 1st Class Taylor Johnson from the 4th Equipment Maintenance Squadron munitions flight. "I'm going to surprise my daughter with him today, because we thought he would be coming home much later."

Returning Airmen will begin in-processing at the beginning of the New Year, but surely the many bright eyed children, spouses, family and friends who came out to greet them will keep them busy until then.

To view a slideshow of the homecoming, click here.
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