Homecoming: Grissom Airmen re-deploy Published Aug. 3, 2013 By Tech. Sgt. Mark R. W. Orders-Woempner 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Back home again in Indiana. While those words are famous around the month of May in the Hoosier state, they never rang truer than they did in July as two KC-135R Stratotankers and their 434th Air Refueling Wing crews came home from a deployment to Southwest Asia July 21. Greeted by family members and friends, the crews were all smiles as they touched Hoosier soil for the first time in over two months. While being away from loved ones can be difficult, some of the families found unique ways to count down the days. Paula Keeney, wife of Maj. Dan Keeney, a 434th Operations Support Squadron KC-135 pilot, said she and her four children made a paper chain with each link representing a day of the major's deployment. They removed a link each day until their family member came home. With all the links removed and they days gone by, finally the 434th ARW Airmen can get some quality time with their families after a job well done. 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 on Facebook and Twitter.
