Photo By Master Sgt. Annette Kornasiewicz | Maj. James Dettinger receives a hug from his daughters July 9 as members of the 180th...... read more read more
Subscribe
By Lt. Col. Thomas Gee and Tech. Sgt. Annette Kornasiewicz
180th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TOLEDO, Ohio - Hundreds of family members, friends and retirees gathered in anticipation of the arrival of their deployed Airmen July 9 at the 180th Fighter Wing aircraft maintenance hangar in Toledo, Ohio. More than 200 men and women of the 180th returned home after serving a two-month deployment in Iraq. The World Airways MD-11 aircraft landed just after 5:45 p.m.
"It was a great patriotic spirit at the ramp," said Lt. Col. Scott Reed, commander of the 112th Fighter Squadron. "Aunts, uncles, sons and daughters were all here for us."
While deployed, the 180th members conducted flying operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and fulfilled a federal mission as part of a United States Air Force Aerospace Expeditionary Forces rotation.
"This is the completion of another tour," Reed said. "A challenging time, but one with a real sense of accomplishment and amazing courage and strength was displayed by our people."
Reuniting with family was on all unit members' minds.
"This was great," said Tech. Sgt. Scott Kuszmaul from the maintenance group. "There is nothing better than family."
"I'm very proud of what we've accomplished and I'm happy to be with family," said Master Sgt. John Kelly, a flightline expediter. "My daughter Jessica was born on May 3 and I had to leave right after she was born. But we have a wonderful support group of family and friends who helped us."
Many children were all smiles as they were able to hug their parents once again. Capt. Nick Zetocha held Ben, his 18-month-old son and watched E.J., almost 3 years old, run circles around his father. He was reminded of the time that had passed as he reflected in the changes in his sons.
"Six weeks: it was my longest deployment," Zetocha said. "The kids are bigger, and E.J. is talking a lot more."
Several returning troops commented about how the group's cohesiveness helped them through the deployment.
"It is easier to be away from home when you are with your Air National Guard family," said Tech. Sgt. Todd Copic, maintenance group member.
About 25 unit members remain deployed in Iraq.
| Date Taken: | 07.24.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 07.24.2007 12:04 |
| Story ID: | 11449 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 955 |
| Downloads: | 861 |
This work, 180th Fighter Wing Returns Home, by MSgt Annette Kornasiewicz, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT