Airmen return to Utah after six-month deployment

Photo By Kari Tilton | Myelie Bailey and her husband, Staff Sgt. Austin Bailey, take down their masks to get a good look at each other Sunday following Austin’s return from a six-month deployment to Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. The couple has been married three years and this was their first deployment. “It’s been really hard communicating and staying in touch with the time difference,” Myelie said. “We definitely have a lot to catch up on and I’m so glad he’s home.” Austin is an avionics mechanic in the 419th Fighter Wing and is working toward his commercial pilot license in the civilian sector. (U.S. Air Force photo)  

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UTAH, UNITED STATES

10.25.2020

Courtesy Story

419th Fighter Wing

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah – Hundreds of Airmen from the expeditionary 421st Fighter Squadron returned here Oct. 25, 2020, following a six-month deployment to Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates.

The deployment, in support of the United States Air Force Central Command mission, included Airmen from the active duty 388th Fighter Wing and Air Force Reserve 419th Fighter Wing.

“We’re extremely happy to welcome everyone home in time for the holiday season and look forward to seeing our folks reunited with their loved ones,” said Col. Matthew Fritz, 419th FW commander. “Deployments are always a challenge and each of our return deployers and their families deserve a pat on the back for a job well done.”

During the deployment, the wings employed the F-35A on close air support missions, performed offensive and defensive counter-air, and enabled regional deterrence by participating in joint exercises with national partners in the Middle East.

“We’re all proud of the job that the 421st FS has done and we’re excited to have them back home,” said Col. Steven Behmer, 388th FW Wing commander. “They picked up right where our previously deployed squadrons left off. We’ll continue to train here and remain focused on providing F-35A combat capability.”

The deployment was the third time in 16 months that F-35As from Hill AFB were called upon to support a combat mission, demonstrating the readiness of the wings’ Airmen and the capabilities of the F-35A Lightning II. The F-35A, the conventional takeoff and landing variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, provides greater operational capability by combining advanced stealth capabilities with the latest weapons technology.

The returning Airmen will quarantine for 14 days to prevent any potential spread of the coronavirus.

The 388th and 419th are the Air Force's first combat-capable F-35A units, flying and maintaining 78 jets in a total force partnership, which capitalizes on the strength of both the active duty and Reserve components.

• Date Taken: 10.25.2020
• Date Posted: 10.28.2020 14:22
• Story ID: 381927
• Location: HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UTAH, US