MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - Pouring rain, gusting winds and thick clouds blocking the sun made for a miserable looking day on Cherry Point.
Despite the harsh weather, spirits were high and it seemed as if the sun was shining down on the family members of Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 2 as they waited in the squadron’s hangar for their loved ones to return from Afghanistan.
More than 100 Marines and Sailors with the squadron returned Oct. 2, from a 6-month combat deployment.
While deployed the squadron completed more than 450 sorties employing EA-6B Prowlers to patrol the skies of Afghanistan and provide airborne command and control support, tactical electronic support, electronic attack capabilities and electronic protection.
The Marines operated mainly from Bagram Airfield and provided electronic protection for NATO’s International Security Assistance Force, primarily focusing on locating improvised explosive devices for the ground troops.
The Marines arrival home was finalized when they were dismissed from formation outside the unit's hangar. The first person to sprint out and find her husband was Cathia Duran, wife of Cpl. Colton Duran, a Prowler mechanic.
“It was tough having him gone for so long,” said Cathia. “I couldn’t sleep at all last night because I was so excited to have him home.”
The couple was married in February and less than two months later, Duran, a native of Bakersfield, Calif., deployed.
“Deploying right after getting married made it hard on both of us,” said Duran. “But we both remained strong and now I’m back, and the only thing I want to do is shower, eat and spend time with my wife.”
Maj. Robert Farias, the executive officer of the squadron returned earlier with an advanced party and said he’s happy to have the rest of the Marines joining him.
The remainder of the squadron, more than 50 Marines, is slated to return with the unit’s Prowlers later this week.