28 BW welcomes Airmen home

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jarad A. Denton
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Approximately 300 Airmen returned to Ellsworth from a six-month deployment in Southwest Asia, Jan. 29.

The plane carrying the deployed Airmen taxied to the Pride Hangar as friends and family members cheered its arrival.

"I'm excited and nervous all at the same time," said Penny Whaley, the spouse of Tech. Sgt. David Whaley, 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron jet engine mechanic. "Six months is a long time to be away from someone, people change and life goes on even when you're apart."

Mrs. Whaley said she was excited for her husband to spend time at home with her and their children.

For Kessia Stuettgen, the wife of Senior Airman Jared Stuettgen, 28th Maintenance Squadron fuels technician, the deployment was the first their family had to endure.

"He's my best friend," she said. "I missed being able to talk to him face to face."

Mrs. Stuettgen said she was able to frequently chat online with Airman Stuettgen, allowing him to keep in touch as his one-year-old daughter grew during the deployment.

"I'm excited to see just how much he's changed," she said, as she waited for the plane to arrive. "I also want to see how he reacts when he sees his daughter in person."

The reunion between Airmen and their families was both tearful and joyous as they made their way from the plane to the Pride Hanger.

"It feels great to be home," said Airman 1st Class Zachary Aichele, 28th Operations Support Squadron combat crew communications. "I'm looking forward to taking things a bit slower now that I'm home."

Col. Jeffrey Taliaferro, 28th Bomb Wing commander, attended the event to welcome home the deployed Airmen.

"Their important service has changed them for the better, forever," he said. "Ten years from now, 20 years from now, or like our World War II veterans some 65 years from now, they will look back on this time with tremendous pride in what they've done for our country."