Whiteman Airmen return from Guam

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jason Burton
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. (AFPN) --  More than 170 Airmen are home after a four-month deployment to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. 

A contracted DC-10 aircraft carrying the returning Airmen touched down here Aug. 29 around 6:40 p.m. to an awaiting crowd of more than 250 family members, friends and co-workers.

Senior Airman Thomas Gruszczynski, 509th Maintenance Squadron propulsion flight, was deployed as part of the B-2 Spirit's support of the Pacific Command's continuous bomber presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

"I'm happy to be back home," Airman Gruszcynski said. "I'm not going to miss walking everywhere."

Another Whiteman Airmen who returned on the evening flight was Master Sgt. David Gillingham, 509th Munitions Squadron.

"Being back home and being with the family is great," he said. "I can't wait to get back into a normal routine."

While Sergeant Gillingham was glad to be back home, he was also proud of the support he, his Airmen and all of the base's Airmen provided for this deployment rotation.

"There were 56 ammo troops that supported 832 combined B-2 Stealth Bombers and F-15E Strike Eagle missions," he said.

Sergeant Gillingham's wife, Debbie, like many other spouses here is also proud and happy her husband is home.

"When I saw that plane land I thought, 'finally it's over; another round done,'" Mrs. Gillingham said. "I am so grateful that they are all home safe and sound. Like any other deployment, I was proud that my husband was there serving our county, but at the same time I was sad that he was gone."