Grissom Airmen return from deployment

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Mota
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --  Welcomed back by family and friends, Airmen on two 434th Air Refueling Wing KC-135R Stratotankers returned to Grissom Feb. 07 after a four-month deployment to Southwest Asia.

"We are very proud our returning Airmen," said Col. Anna Schulte, 434th Maintenance Group commander. "They did an outstanding job during the deployment, and that is a true testament of their professionalism and dedication to the mission."

The families were hosted by the Grissom Airman and Family Readiness center where they decorated signs and socialized as they waited for their loved ones to return.

"Just in time to be my Valentine," read a sign held by Katherine Fruit who waited for Senior Airman Brian Snead, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, to return. "It's been too long, and all of us are ready for him to come home."

The group of returning Airmen also included an additional six aircrew who returned from a 60-day deployment. Together they provided aerial refueling and aircraft maintenance in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

"During the deployment we generated 885 sorties, more than 4,700 flying hours, offloaded 45.5 million pounds of fuel and supported 4,300 coalition receivers," said Chief Master Sgt. Chad Weisend, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron superintendent. "Our Airmen did a great job and morale was good throughout the deployment."

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen and aircraft from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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