Ellsworth Airmen return home following deployment

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Yash Rojas
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Friends, families and co-workers crowded Ellsworth's Pride Hangar in the pre-dawn hours July 26 awaiting the arrival of loved ones returning home from a six-month deployment to Southwest Asia.

Nearly 400 Airmen redeployed from Southwest Asia where they conducted vital B-1 bomber operations in support of operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

Lt. Col. Seth Graham, 34th Bomb Squadron deployed commander, said he is proud of the Airmen and all of the hard work they did while downrange.

"It's really tough to be gone for six months, launching aircraft day after day in the heat and the [elements]," said Graham. "They did it by the book and they did it in amazing fashion."

Graham added that he was impressed to see the reception awaiting him and his fellow Airmen after such a long deployment.

"All of the hard work made the weeks and months spent away from home more meaningful," he said.

Eager family members lined up inside the hangar anticipating the arrival of the aircraft carrying loved ones they had not held since January. Several waved colorful posters and signs welcoming their heroes home and thanking them for a job well done.

"It's amazing to see all of these people come out just for us," said Graham. "The support we get is just incredible."

Despite thunderstorms passing through the area that included heavy rain and hail, nearly all braved the conditions to catch a glimpse of their Airmen as they walked off the aircraft.

Amber Thompson, wife of Airman 1st Class Jeremy Thompson, 34th Aircraft Maintenance Unit aircraft maintainer, was one of the first to arrive at the Pride Hangar a little before 4 a.m., nervous and excited to see her husband.

"It's been a very long six months and we are all very excited to see him again," she said.

While deployments and answering our nation's call are always possible in the future, the overall focus today was celebrating the return of Ellsworth's Airmen.

Ellsworth, home to two of America's three B-1 combat squadrons, provides support for operations around the clock, 12 of every 18 months in Southwest Asia. During this deployment, aircrews provided critical air presence, precision strike and surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities to support military objectives in that region.