Photo By 1st Lt. Delmy Hernandez | Capt. KMarie Tejeda, 192nd Wing chaplain, delivers a presentation during the deployer...... read more read more
JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. - The 192nd Wing, Virginia Air National Guard, welcomed members home from a recent deployment July 14, 2026, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton, Virginia. Airmen assigned to the 192nd Maintenance Group and 192nd Operations Group in-processed back to the wing following their deployment in support of Operation Epic Fury, where they served alongside active-duty counterparts from the 1st Fighter Wing.
Upon their return, the wing launched an innovative, National Guard Bureau-directed three-day reintegration program representing a strategic evolution from past deployments where members were quickly in-processed and immediately sent home. Recognizing that modern deployment environments demand a higher level of tactical and emotional recovery, NGB directed and supported this intentional operational pause. The proactive initiative was designed to safeguard the Total Force by ensuring Airmen achieve a stable mental and physical state before fully transitioning back to their civilian lives and families, replacing high-stress, procedural exit lines with holistic member care.
“The efforts to improve and standardize the mandated reintegration program, specifically for members, were led by the Commander’s Action Group,” said Capt. Donna Jones, 192nd Wing command executive officer. “This new approach demonstrates the wing’s priorities of putting Airmen first and caring for them and their families.”
On day one of reintegration, Col. Paul Pedersen, 192nd Wing deputy commander, welcomed the returning members. “Today is about getting you all back, checked out, and making sure you don't have any acute needs,” said Pedersen.
Col. Timothy M. Strouse, 192nd Maintenance Group commander, explained what members could expect in the coming days.
“The program you're going to go through over the next couple of days is directed by the National Guard and is designed to take care of you,” said Strouse. “It's designed to give you resources and tools to help you.”
Day two of the reintegration included sessions led by the Integrated Primary Prevention Workforce, the sexual assault prevention and response coordinator, the 192nd Medical Group, the 192nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, the Military and Family Readiness Center, and the 192nd Wing chaplain and director of psychological health. Airmen also addressed and closed medical needs throughout the day.
Timothy Bowden, the 192nd Wing Military and Family Readiness Program manager, emphasized the importance of members addressing different areas of their lives that may need attention.
“With any information I'm giving you, honestly assess where it fits, personally or professionally, for you or your family,” Bowden said. “What did I do before this deployment to prepare for it? Because at the end of the day, you have to put everything back.”
The 192nd Wing chaplain, Capt. KMarie Tejeda, explained the services members can expect from the chaplain corps. She described the difference between post-traumatic stress disorder and moral injury and highlighted services such as privileged communication, in which communication with a chaplain is confidential.
Judy Crow, the 192nd Wing director of psychological health, presented members with tools to reset their central nervous system, including box breathing, grounding techniques, and guided imagery exercises. Members can use these exercises if they find themselves anxious or under stress.
A deployer observed that this reintegration period differed from previous ones he experienced.
"In the past, it was focused on your finances, coming off orders and was more procedural," said Staff Sgt. Dustin Parks, 192nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aviation technician. "This time, instead of being high-paced and high-stress, it's helping you deal with what's going on inside you, what's going to be going on around you, and checking yourself and gearing your reactions."
The last day included finalizing financial matters and attending small group discussions to process their experiences during the deployment. Helping agencies and leadership will follow up with members at the 30- and 60-day marks to monitor how well Airmen are adjusting to being back home. Members were encouraged to use the tools they learned and to reach out to helping agencies if needed.
| Date Taken: | 08.12.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.14.2026 15:35 |
| Story ID: | 572262 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 47 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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