Open arms welcome 434th SFS Airmen from deployment Published March 21, 2013 By Tech. Sgt. Mark R. W. Orders-Woempner 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Sometimes they return home under the cover of darkness, but this time Grissom made sure to give a hero's welcome to its returning warriors. Welcomed back by cheering family and friends, 21 Airmen from the 434th Security Forces Squadron returned from a six-month deployment to the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, aboard a Grissom KC-135R Stratotanker March 6. "This was a huge team-effort, and there are a lot of people who worked really hard for the last week to make this trip happen so we could go to Baltimore, (Md.), pick up these folks and bring them home," said Col. Christopher Amend, 434th Operations Group commander. "Yeah, they could have flown into Indianapolis and got on a bus to come up here, but to come home to Grissom on their own airplane and have the homecoming that we saw today, that's what it's all about; taking care of our people here at Grissom." While deployed the 434th SFS Airmen provided security for the Transit Center at Manas, which is a transportation and logistics hub at Manas International Airport, with missions including aerial refueling of coalition aircraft, airlift of supplies and equipment, and movement of coalition personnel. "They provided perimeter security, secured the installation and they did a great job," said Senior Master Sgt. Brad Klepinger, 434th SFS superintendent. Lt. Col. Maureen McAllen, 434th Mission Support Group commander, agreed. "With the amount these folks do and what they go through all the time, it's amazing the amount of work and dedication that they show," said McAllen. "They're a great bunch of guys, and for about a third of them it was their first deployment." And, while several members of Grissom's leadership showed up to welcome the troops home, it was the family members who cheered the loudest and went running to embrace their loved ones as they stepped off the aircraft. "Words can't describe how I feel; tears describe it better," said Marta Iscoa, a Honduran native and mother of Senior Airman Jessie Eastham. "I am very, very proud of him; I'm proud to have raised my son here and for him to serve the country that I love." Another mother, Juanita Garcia, said she was excited to have her son, Staff Sgt. Daniel Garcia, back but wasn't looking forward to him ever going back again "I'm an Air Force mom, and I'm very proud of his service, so of course I'm excited, but he's staying with me for the rest of his life," she quipped. "If he goes again, I'll go with him." Perhaps one of the most heartwarming reunions wasn't a reunion at all. Staff Sgt. Michael McClintock, was greeted by his wife, two daughters and two sons, one of whom he had never seen. "He's never met Jack, who was born in October," explained McClintock's wife, Claire. "It's been different, but I've had a lot of help at home from my parents, his parents, brothers and sisters. "It's probably been harder for him to not be there for it," she added. But the staff sergeant said the greater burden was on his wife, and was extremely proud of her for pressing forward while he was gone. He also spent a majority of the reunion time hugging, kissing and playing with his kids while admiring his new son. "This is so wonderful; it's overwhelming," he said. "I don't even know how to explain it." The whole experience also seemed to be overwhelming for many of the families as they laughed, cried and embraced throughout the evening. "It's kind of surreal, but I think once we get home it will start to feel more real," remarked Claire McClintock. "(The kids) are excited, but I think it's been so long it will take them some time to get used to it. "They called (my husband) into a room over there, and now the kids don't think he's coming out for six months," she joked. "But they're happy to have their dad back, and I'm proud of him and glad he's home. The 434th SFS is part of the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen and aircraft from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives. Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.
