Warbirds return to nest after five months

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Wesley Wright
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Five months, more than 6,000 nautical miles and a 100-degree difference in temperature later, 110 Warbirds returned to the nest Jan. 30 from a deployment to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, amid "welcome home" signs, balloons and excited children.

The Airmen were the largest wave of deployers returning from Air and Space Expeditionary Force 3/4. Approximately 40 Airmen returned Jan. 28 and 29, along with several B-52 Stratofortresses. Another 48 Airmen returned Jan. 31, and 32 are due to arrive Feb 2.

Six B-52s and approximately 300 Airmen deployed to Andersen AFB in August 2006 to provide U.S. Pacific Command with a continuous bomber presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

After accomplishing all their missions and helping launch 201 perfect sorties, the vigilant Warbirds are happy to be home.

"It feels great," said Senior Airman Andrew Severn, 5th Munitions Squadron. "We got everything done that we set out to accomplish."

"It was a great experience," said Capt. Joe McKenna, 23rd Bomb Squadron, who returned Jan. 28. "There were a lot of good training opportunities in the Pacific."

Highlighting the support she received from the squadron while her husband was gone, Maria McKenna recounted how, when her car battery died, someone was there in minutes to charge it.

For Staff Sgt. Chris Boyed, 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and wife Nikki,' this reunion was a very special one.

"Today is our 14th wedding anniversary," he said. "I deployed on her birthday five months ago, and I got to come back in time for our anniversary."

"I'm so happy to have him back," said Mrs. Boyed. "It means a lot to me to have him back for our anniversary."

While deployed, the Warbirds successfully launched 201 consecutive B-52 sorties with a 100-percent mission effectiveness record -- a new record.

"We made every mission we set out to accomplish a success," said Col. Eldon Woodie, 5th Bomb Wing commander. "Our Airmen rose above the standard. The deployment was absolutely phenomenal."

The returning Warbirds are now faced with the challenge of getting back into, as Sergeant Boyed puts it, "the Minot way."

As part of the reintegration process, Airmen undergo a "reverse" deployment process, said Tech. Sgt. Timothy Beachy, 5th Logistics Readiness Squadron.

"Airmen are given a post-deployment checklist, which we streamline into an efficient 72-hour process," he said. "If they've had finance issues while they were gone, finance will help them; if they've had personal issues, the Airman and Family Readiness Center will help. It's like that with all the key offices on base."

Throughout the deployment, Colonel Woodie received feedback from commanders in the field that was "universally great," he said.

"Our folks did great, and I'm exceptionally proud."