Hoosier Airmen return home for holidays Published Dec. 9, 2013 By Tech. Sgt. Mark R. W. Orders-Woempner 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Oh there's no place like home for the holidays, and that never rang truer than for a group of Grissom Airmen fresh off their jets from a recent deployment. Three 434th Air Refueling Wing KC-135R Stratotankers carrying nearly 40 Airmen touched down on Hoosier ground Nov. 18 after spending more than two months on deployment to Southwest Asia. "Thankfully everybody that deployed made it back as scheduled," said Lt. Col. Jerry Malloy, 434th Operations Group commander. "They flew quite a bit, and we're thankful to have them all here and home so they could spend some time with their families." Many family members and friends braved the cold, standing outside to watch their loved ones land as they held signs welcoming them home. Almost all appeared emotional as they embraced their returning Airmen for the first time. "This is the best part of being alive," said Lt. Col. Erik Aufderheide, 72nd Air Refueling Squadron commander, as he hugged his 10-year-old son, Leif. "It's good to get back to the family to spend some time with them." Aufderheide said he and his fellow returning deployers were fortunate to be home for the holidays, but pointed out that Grissom still has people who will be deployed throughout the holiday season. And, it wouldn't be the holiday season without a few holiday surprises. Making one of those surprises was Anita Hollis, who didn't tell her boyfriend Russell W. Smith II, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron integrated avionics systems specialist, that she would be waiting for him when he got home. The unexpected reunion almost didn't happen as Smith, thinking that no one was there to greet him, never came through the Airman and Family Readiness Center where the families and friends had gathered. Despite that slight misstep, Grissom personnel were able to use a bit of subterfuge and convince him to return and be greeted by his awaiting guest. "This is just indescribable," said Hollis shortly after their reunion. "I was scared I was going to let it out of the bag when I was talking to him at different times before he came home. "It feels like he's been gone a lot longer, and I appreciate him and what he does so much more," she added. Also surprising a few Airmen where Bill and Susan Newman and Judy Friend, all friends of Jill Marconi, Grissom's A&FRC director. The three came to the base to welcome home those who didn't have anyone to greet them. "We asked Jill if there were every any (Airmen) who didn't have anyone to greet them when they came back, and she said, 'yes, always; there may be one or there may be five, but there's always someone,'" explained Friend. "We have several veterans at our church, and so we said, 'let's give it a try and see what we can do.'" They succeeded as they surprised two Airmen with hugs, appreciation and even a box of holiday cookies to welcome them home. "We're thrilled they took their time to serve, so we can spend a few hours to meet with them," said Friend. "We don't want anyone to come home and think they aren't appreciated." The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen and aircraft from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the globe in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives. Stay connected with Grissom and the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.
