Airmen return to big family welcome

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Shad Eidson
  • Air Force Print News
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  Family, friends and squadron members welcomed home 13 Airmen with fresh grilled food, cold drinks and cheerful faces Aug. 29.

After their nine-month deployment supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, serving side-by-side with Army Soldiers to jointly handle security at Camp Bucca, the Airmen were met by a family reunion-style atmosphere, letting them know they were home.

The first friendly face to greet the Airmen when their plane landed at San Antonio International Airport was Maj. Ted Breuker, who assumed command of the 47th Security Forces Squadron one month ago.

"They did me proud down range," Major Breuker said. "Meeting them when they landed was the right thing to do. It was the least I could do for them."

The Airmen got to know their new commander better during a two and a half hour bus ride back to base where their fellow squadron members and family were preparing a cookout and happily awaiting their arrival.

"I can't wait to have my hunting partner back, and just to spend some time together," said Tech. Sgt. Frank Munderback's father, Don.

Don, who retired from the Army as a command sergeant major, is proud of his son. And, while he finds it strange that the Army is getting help from the Air Force, he thinks it's "great that the services are working together."

Before the Airmen arrived at the squadron, welcome signs were up and a jovial crowd was steadily growing.

"I just can't describe what I felt when we finally arrived," Sergeant Munderback said after finally seeing his wife and two children for the first time since January. "But it does feel great to be home."

While many of the Airmen found it hard to be separated from family, several also expressed they felt it was trying on the family members too.

"It's a very good feeling," Senior Airman Isaac Gallardo's wife, Michalea, said with a sign of relief. "I am so relaxed to have him back home."

The homecoming also gave the 47th Flying Training Wing Commander, Col. Mike Minahan, a first chance to welcome the Airmen since he assumed command in April.

"It's always great to welcome home your Airmen who have done so well protecting our country and fighting the global war on terrorism," Colonel Minahan said. "The Airmen that we have here are what make the Air Force so great. We've got great aircraft and great systems but it's our people that make our Air Force so tremendous."