Nearly 100 Airmen, 7 tankers return from deployments

Photo By Master Sgt. Benjamin Mota | Col. Larry Shaw, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander, greets Maj. Scott Street, 72nd Air Refueling Squadron pilot and flight commander, as he and other returning deployers step off a KC-135R Stratotanker at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind., Aug. 22, 2017. Street was on the first of six KC-135R Stratotankers that returned from deployments between Aug. 22-27, 2017. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Mota)  

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, INDIANA, UNITED STATES

08.28.2017

Story by Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Mota 

434th Air Refueling Wing

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --
The 434th Air Refueling Wing’s mission is to provide air refueling and combat-ready forces, and a recent return of Airmen proved the wing was able to do just that at a higher than normal operations tempo.

Nearly 100 Airmen and seven KC-135R Stratotankers returned home Aug. 22-27, following deployments supporting two separate contingencies more than 6,500 miles apart.

While six tankers and aircrew were supporting Operation Inherent Resolve in the Middle East, the other aircraft and support staff from the 434th ARW were supporting a theater security package in Guam.

“I’m so proud of the Airmen returning,” said Col. Larry Shaw, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander who greeted each group as they arrived. “Time and time again our Airmen answer the call without hesitation, and every time they deploy they prove the 434th ARW gets the job done!”

In the Middle East alone four tankers and aircrew flew 931 missions refueling just under 4,000 receiver aircraft while transferring more than 53 million pounds of fuel.

Also proud of the returning Airmen were the family members waiting as each tanker returned.

“We were really excited to see him come home,” said Katy Holmes as she and her two children Calvin and Abigail waited for her husband, Staff Sgt. Zachary Holmes, 74th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, to return. “We are so proud of him; we prayed for them every day to come home safe, and our prayers were answered.”

One group of Airmen had the privilege of being welcomed home by U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski. The congresswoman said she came to the base specifically to thank returning Airmen for their service and commitment to the mission.

While the primary mission of both deployments was to provide aerial refueling to long-range bomber, fighter and cargo aircraft several other professionals including medical, administration, and maintenance also deployed to support overseas operations.

“This deployment has been one of the largest and most diverse deployments we have seen in a long time,” said Shaw. “Everyone did a great job, but now that our Airmen have returned its time to get them reunited with their families.”

Helping do just that were volunteers from Grissom’s Key Support Team who provided information and resources to military spouses and their families prior to and during their arrival.

“We try to reach out to the family at least three times while their Airman are deployed,” said Kris Shaw, Key Support Team member. “While families were waiting for their loved ones we worked hand-in-hand with Family Readiness passing out snacks and providing any support needed.

“It’s all about helping take care of the Airman and doing what is needed to be done to ensure a smooth transition,” said Kris.

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Men and women from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.

Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.

• Date Taken: 08.28.2017
• Date Posted: 02.06.2018 13:26
• Story ID: 264910
• Location: GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, INDIANA, US