Photo By Senior Airman Andrew Kobialka | A U.S. Air Force Airman from 389th Fighter Squadron embraces his family after...... read more read more
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A crowd of family and friends, some holding welcome home signs, wait for their loved ones to return from deployment in the parking lot of Hanger 201 on MHAFB. On the other end of Hanger 201, is a crowd of Airmen, from Airman Basic to Colonel wait on the flightline to welcome home the 389th Fighter Squadron.
After an extended deployment supporting OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE due to COVID-19, the 389th FS makes their return on the flight-line, hearing the sounds of celebration and the echoes of fellow Airmen saying welcome back.
“It’s exciting to be back home,” said Lt. Col. Roderick James, 389th FS commander.
“Our Airmen had been gone for about eight months. A little longer because of the COVID-19
pandemic but overall everyone is in great spirits and very happy to be back with their families.”
The pandemic has produced challenges for the return of the 389th FS. Capt. Pal Cunada,
366th Logistics Readiness Squadron operations officer, along with the aid of 1st Lt. Steven
MarcAurele, 389th FS section commander, and other fellow officers had to come up with new
ways to reintegrate the 389th FS while following public health guidelines.
“It completely threw a wrench,” said Cunada. “We kind of had to go back to the drawing
board.”
The officers had to change building locations and start implementing the DOD guidance
in the reintegration process.
“We had to add in a lot of the COVID-19 guidance from DOD on what public health
needed to do to determine that people were not sick and not showing symptoms of the COVID-
19,” said Cunada. “DOD guidance recently added that public health needed to do actual
temperature checks so they had little scanners on their forehead and some ear scanners.”
According to Cunada, building 1333 was where the 389th FS were supposed to land but
because the building didn’t provide enough space for the Airmen to maintain social distancing,
they changed the location to Hanger 201, which is also a part of the 389th FS.
“This was a great feat of innovative thought and processing,” said MarcAurele. “We did
right by our Airmen by getting them back in a safe and orderly fashion while still adhering to our
COVID-19 policies. It created a little bit extra work but it was all worth it.”
Despite the unexpected challenges, the 389th FS has safely returned to the base. And as
they reunite with their friends and love ones, they can rest knowing that they can spend time wth
their loved ones.
“It’s crazy and a little different with the COVID-19 pandemic spreading but it feels great to see the love and appreciation,” said Senior Airman Brandon Taylor, 389th FS aerospace ground equipment journeyman.
| Date Taken: | 06.10.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 06.10.2020 13:37 |
| Story ID: | 371829 |
| Location: | MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, IDAHO, US |
| Web Views: | 163 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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