By Robin Jedlicka - bio | email
VALDOSTA, GA (WALB) - On Monday, Moody Air Force Base had one of its biggest homecomings in recent history.
After a long deployment, over three hundred airmen returned home to their families and friends. These airmen were from the 75th Fighter Squadron and the 75th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. They've spent the past six months at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.
Their mission was a first for Moody Air Force Base. New A-10 'C'-Model aircrafts were flown in combat zones. Their mission was extended by two months, making loved ones all the more eager to have them home.
Dana Breining's husband, Staff Sergeant Thomas Breining, was deployed when their son was only three months old. "It's been difficult," Dana said. "Family's far away, and we'll really appreciate having the extra hands. Plus, he's getting at that point where now where he's crawling and he's getting into things, and I don't want him to miss that. That's the fun time!"
The airmen were ecstatic at the success they achieved at Bagram. "We got a lot of great feedback from the guys on the ground who were our customers," said Lt. Col. Sam Milam, Commander of the 75th Fighter Squadron. "We flew a lot of sorties and we're glad to be back."
Their success brought a sense of pride to the entire 23rd Wing. Chief Paul Burgess said, "From the logistics people, from the support people, to the administrative people--all had to come together as a team to make this a successful combat deployment."
As happy as the airmen were to protect our nation's ground troops, there was no question that these courageous men and women were just as happy to be home.
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