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  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Steven Wilson and Airman 1st Class Jarad A. Denton
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Approximately 50 Ellsworth Airmen in various roles arrived home today from a six-month deployment to Southwest Asia.

"This is what the 28th Bomb Wing is about--combat. We couldn't be more proud of the incredible work these Airmen have done overseas for the nation," said Col. Jeffrey Taliaferro, 28th Bomb Wing commander. "While these Airmen return for a well earned rest, more than 600 Ellsworth Airmen are still in the fight."

The returnees received a hero's welcome at Ellsworth's Pride Hangar, where fire and police vehicles were positioned with flashing lights and sirens piercing the cold winter air.

As the Airmen departed the jet and entered the hangar, they were reunited with squadron mates, friends and their families.

Mrs. Loni Olson said, as she waited for her husband, Capt. Scott Olson, 34th Bomb Squadron intelligence officer to arrive, she and her children postponed the family Christmas celebration until he returned home.

Captain Olson had another "present" waiting for him as well. One of his children, nineteen-month old Jacob, wasn't quite as mobile when he left six months ago.

"His dad has never seen him walk," Mrs. Olson said, as she chased after her flag-waving son while waiting for her husband to arrive.

When the captain found his family waiting and hugged his wife for the first time in six-months, he called the feeling "awesome."

"It's great," he said when asked how he felt about being home. "It was surreal seeing Ellsworth from the airplane as we were a few miles out."

He said his initial plans were to simply rest, enjoy time with his family and generally take it easy.

And what of the size of the infamous six-month long "Honey-Do" list that might be waiting on him?

"I don't care how long it is," Captain Olson said. "I'm just so glad to be home."

Other Airmen echoed Captain Olson's sentiments and said they were overjoyed to be back on home soil.

"I'm glad to be home," said Airman 1st Class Todd Dorsa, 37th Bomb Squadron aerospace propulsion apprentice. "Being over there makes you appreciate home a lot more before you deployed."

Airman Dorsa said the reality of finally coming home didn't set in at the deployed location until he saw the advance deployment team from Ellsworth arrive in Southwest Asia.

Now, he's home from a job well done.

Ellsworth Airmen ensured B-1B Lancers provided the combined forces air component commander with critical long-range strike capability and close air support when necessary. The B-1B has been called the "roving linebacker" in Southwest Asia because of its versatility and long loiter times over hostile territory.

Ellsworth is expecting more returning deployers later this week.