Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Wallace | Six-year-old Aurea Paulino hugs her daddy, Airman 1st Class Michael Paulino, a 366th...... read more read more
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MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho - Families, friends and fellow Airmen gathered here today as maintenance professionals from the 366th Maintenance Group and 389th Fighter Squadron, 'T-Bolts,' returned from their six-month deployment to Southwest Asia.
For those returning, the night meant departing an overseas contingency where their combat air power met ground commander requirements as part of a combined-joint effort.
For those waiting at Building 809 near the flightline here, the arrival meant a dad, mom, husband, wife or friend was finally home.
"This is our first child, and Josh wasn't here for Madison's first steps or her first words," said Gina Paige, referring to her 1-year-old daughter Madison, whose father Staff Sgt. Josh Paige from the 366th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron avionics shop was one of the many deployed airmen. He left when Madison was only six-months old.
"I really hope Madison can take her first steps to daddy," said Paige. "Until now, she only knows him through web cams."
Gina and Madison weren't the only family members awaiting their heroic airman's return. One elementary school-aged child reflected on what she missed most while her dad was deployed.
"My daddy used to read my 'Rapunzel' book to me every night before bed," said six-year-old Aurea Paulino, daughter of Hillary and Airman 1st Class Michael Paulino, a 366th Equipment Maintenance Squadron ammunition technician.
Like most military families, the Paulinos endured during the absence, eluded Aurea, when she proudly proclaimed," I'm six now and could read Rapunzel myself, but I still missed daddy reading to me."
The airmen can now look forward to a few weeks of rest and family time, before getting back to their mission of continuing to provide the elite 366th Fighter Wing 'Gunfighter' combat airpower.
| Date Taken: | 10.03.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 10.03.2013 23:10 |
| Story ID: | 114743 |
| Location: | ID, US |
| Hometown: | BOISE, ID, US |
| Hometown: | MOUNTAIN HOME, ID, US |
| Web Views: | 79 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, T-Bolt homecoming raises spirits, reunites families at MHAFB, by SMSgt Kevin Wallace, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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