Airmen return to Shaw from overseas deployments

  • Published
  • By Tarsha Storey
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AFPN) --  Approximately 46 Airmen returned to Shaw AFB in mid December after being deployed to Southwest Asia fighting the war on terrorism.

The Airmen returned in two groups, one returning from supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, while the second group was mainly supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

The first group, about 20 Airmen from the 20th Civil Engineer Squadron and one from the 20th Medical Operations Squadron, returned from six months in Iraq. During their deployment, the 20th CES and 20th MDOS members supported the 823rd Red Horse Squadron based at Hurlburt Field, Fla.

The second group, about 26 people from the 20th Security Forces Squadron, returned from a seven-month deployment to Afghanistan. While in Afghanistan, the 20th SFS team supported detainee operations doing duties such as cell guard, over watch and other missions that are not typically security forces missions, said Master Sgt. Mark Miller, 20th SFS.

During the reunions with family and friends, one Shaw AFB member, Airman 1st Class Shawn Sullivan, met his 4-month-old daughter, Peyton, for the first time.

Even though he was able to talk to his wife, Faryn, on the phone during the birth and hear his daughter's first cry, Airman Sullivan said it still did not feel real.

"It's all a reality now," Airman Sullivan said as he held Peyton close. "I was a little nervous about holding her because I didn't want her to cry. I don't know what it feels like to be a dad yet. I'm a little nervous, but I think it's pretty cool."

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