JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- 525th Fighter Squadron and 3rd Maintenance Group personnel returned from a deployment to Qatar Friday, April 21.
More than 100 friends and family crowded into the squadron hangar bearing signs and gifts after seven months of not seeing their loved ones
“I’m over the moon right now,” said Jessica Caballero, who is married to Air Force Staff Sgt. Timothy Caballero, a 3rd Maintenance Squadron low-observable technician. “It’s been lonely, but with my friends and the big support system – it’s been a lot easier to handle.”
The USO showed up in force to provide gifts, snacks and of course coffee on tap to the arriving Airmen.
As more Airmen found their families, the crowd grew less and less organized, spouses ran to their loved ones to share passionate kisses or tender hugs, and children scurried underfoot – often tackling their returning parent in groups.
Photographers swarmed the families as they were reunited, some bearing cell phones trying to capture their friend’s moments; others showed signs of professional contract.
“I don’t know what to say,” said Senior Airman Miguel Rivera, a 3rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons technician. “I”m astonished. I’m excited to be back.”