Charleston Airmen welcome home warriors

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Paul Kilgallon
  • 437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  More than 125 Airmen from the 14th Airlift Squadron returned to Charleston Air Force Base Sept. 3 after completing more than a 120-day deployment to Southwest Asia in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

The 14th AS Airmen deployed as the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron to a forward deployed location in Southwest Asia since May.

While deployed, the Airmen flew more than 3,000 missions, transported more than 108 million pounds of cargo and airlifted more than 70,000 passengers throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

They executed more than 30 distinguished visitor moves, including the secretary of Homeland Security, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the commander of Multinational Forces Iraq, the deputy secretary of Defense and the king of Jordan who was the first Arab head of state to visit Iraq.

The Airmen flying C-17 Globemaster IIIs also transported more than 13,000 prisoners to detainment facilities throughout the region, and completed 25 successful airdrop missions over 41 drop zones totaling more than 1 million pounds of ammunition, food and water for U.S. and coalition troops.

Additionally, aircrews transported more than 1,000 thousand Georgians and more than 130,000 pounds of cargo to Tbilisi at the beginning of the Georgian/Russian conflict.

In support of coalition forces, the 14th AS Airmen transported almost 2 million pounds of medical supplies to medical facilities in the AOR. Additionally, they completed approximately than 20 aeromedical evacuations missions transporting more than 120 critical and injured patients to medical facilities for lifesaving treatment.

Capt. Steven Brown, a pilot from the 14th AS, said it's awesome to be able to use all the training he's received to fly combat mission missions, especially since this is his first deployment.

"At the end of the day I really had a sense of accomplishment knowing our C-17s were bringing essential supplies to the front lines and helping the troops on the ground," Captain Brown said. "It was tough to be away from loved ones for four months, but the sense of pride I had after delivering food, water or ammo to the war or evacuating injured Soldiers made it easier."

, 816 EAS and 14 AS commander said this past deployment has been a truly humbling experience for him for he was able to lead amazingly talented group of airman as they execute the mission ... every mission, every time.

"It has been a blessing to lead the 14 AS and our operations support section folks as the commander of the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron," said Lt. Col. Norman Czubaj. "None of it would be possible without the loving support of our families back home -- the silent heroes and warriors."

After returning home, the 14th AS Airmen will have some time off to be with their families. Afterward they will begin to reestablish their normal work routines and start their training cycles in preparation for their next deployment. 

Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link)

View the comments/letters page