SJ Airmen return from deployment

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Marissa Tucker
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C --  More than 750 family members and friends of Airmen from the 4th Fighter Wing filled a hangar on the flightline awaiting the return of approximately 320 servicemembers from a deployment to Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, March 15.

The Airmen, comprised of support elements for the 336th Fighter Squadron include the 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 4th Component Maintenance Squadron and the 4th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, completed a six-month deployment to Bagram Air Field, two months more than all previous Air Expeditionary Force fighter squadron rotations.

"We found out two days before he left that this would be a six-month deployment instead of a four-month (one)," said Kristy Gross, wife of Capt. Chad Gross, 336 AMXS officer-in-charge of maintenance supervision. "We're just so excited to have him come home."

"I really just want to see my daddy, he's been gone for a long time," said Celie, Captain Gross' daughter.

The 336th FS completed more than 10,500 flying hours with only six F-15E Strike Eagles, also scheduled to return this week.

Members of the Patriot Guard, the USO and staff from the Airmen & Family Readiness center were on hand to ensure all the returning servicemembers received a warm welcome home.

Once the returning Airmen attend a reintegration briefing, they will have at least two weeks of relax and recuperative time before returning to work.