KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. — More than 120 Airmen assigned to the 403rd Wing, including members from the 815th Airlift Squadron, known as the “Flying Jennies,” returned here this weekend following a deployment in support of Operation New Normal and Operation Octave Shield throughout the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility.
During the deployment, the Airmen supported airlift and mobility operations as part of East Africa’s anti-terrorism efforts at different bases in Kenya and Somalia.
“Our high operations tempo, professionalism, and productivity carried over directly into the deployment, and that really speaks to the caliber of our Airmen and the readiness we maintain every day,” said Lt. Col. Stephanie Brown, 815th Airlift Squadron commander.
Over the 90-day deployment, the unit flew 155 missions and 600 sorties, the highest totals recorded by a single unit during the period. The unit also transported 4.3 million pounds of cargo and 2,400 personnel, including three aeromedical evacuation missions.
“I think this deployment really demonstrated the high level of readiness we maintain at Keesler AFB,” said Brown. “Our Airmen were able to take the training and standards they practice every day and apply them seamlessly in a deployed environment.”
While the work performed overseas was important to the mission, the return home carried its own significance.
“Coming home on Labor Day was conveniently aligned with having more families available to welcome their return,” said Brown.
After months of dedication, long hours, and time away from family and friends, this Labor Day brought something these Airmen have earned: time to rest, reconnect, and, most importantly, be home.
“He has been gone for five months, and the baby has grown a lot,” said Lacey Soto, a spouse of one of the returning Airmen. “We’re just glad to have daddy back home.”