Posted on 05/02/2007 5:55:19 PM PDT by SandRat
5/2/2007 - FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. (AFNEWS) -- Applause, cheers, hugs and tears of joy awaited 44 returning warriors as they walked off of a KC-135 Stratotanker to be greeted by a crowd of more than 100 military family members, fellow Airmen and local media crews here April 30.
After the welcome on the ramp next to the plane, the families and returning Airmen were driven to the Airmen's Center of Excellence for inprocessing.
"Separation can be a very stressful time for all families and loved ones," said Lt. Col. Michael Gaal, the 92nd Operations Support Squadron commander. "Taking the extra time to ensure that first meeting is not filled with distraction or added stress is very important. Deploying and redeploying is an experience you will remember all of your life. It would be sad if all that was remembered over the years was our inability to keep a focus on that special reunion."
The majority of the Airmen returned from Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan. Most of them are maintainers and operations Airmen.
While the Airmen received briefings and a personal thank you from Col. Roger Watkins, the 92nd Air Refueling Wing's vice commander, families waited until the Airmen finished processing back into their organizations. The Airmen and their families then received a few additional briefings together about what to expect during the reunion phase and tips on how to help make the process a little smoother.
"Briefings and discussions are provided to the redeployers prior to heading home and immediately upon their return," Colonel Gaal said. "I personally found the literature handed out at the Center of Excellence to be very beneficial to understand the needs and expectations of the family I left behind when I deployed."
After Airmen finished the briefings and required checklists, they were released to start their compensatory time off of work.
"This time period is designed to allow the member to readjust their body's clock from the time zone crossings, and a chance to assume their normal roles in their families," Colonel Gaal said.
Jasmine Hernandez receives a big hug from her father, Tech. Sgt. Juan Hernandez, just minutes after his return April 30 to Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. Sergeant Hernandez returned with 44 other Airmen from Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jocelyn Ford)
WELCOME HOME WARRIORS!!!!
BTTT
Outstanding!!!
Spent many hours working on constuction projects at Fairchild an number of years ago. Also, a brother-in-law was stationed there when it was a SAC base.
Welcome Home Warriors! Your service and dedication is appreciated as well as the service and dedication of your spouses and families.
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