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434th Civil Engineer Squadron members return from deployment

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Mota
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind., --  Nineteen Airmen from Grissom's 434th Civil Engineer Squadron returned from a 180-Day deployment to Southwest Asia during the late-night hours July 22, 2015.

Under the cover of darkness, a group of friends and family provided a hero's welcome as they watched the KC-135 Stratotanker taxi to the hangar. 

"I've waited a long time for this day," said Jessica Dill, who was waiting for her husband Master Sgt. Robert Dill III, 434th CES power production specialist, to arrive. "We've missed him so much."

During their deployment the team was attached to various missions throughout the Air Forces Central Command area of responsibility that supported Operations Enduring Freedom, Freedom's Sentinal and Inherent Resolve. 

One of those missions was providing water to an undisclosed base in Iraq, said Senior Master Sgt. Christopher Brill, 434th CES operations superintendent.

"One of our biggest feats was building a well for the base," said Brill. "The base had been without water for 16 days when we arrived.

"The well we provided, allowed them to fill storage tanks that held 1.5 million gallons of water for military personnel and refugees housed at the base."

"It felt good knowing that the work we did while we were there would continue to help people even after we were gone," said Senior Master Sgt. Nate Colborn, 434th CES heavy repair superintendent. "Everyone had a really good attitude throughout the deployment, but we are all glad to be back."

The members arrived in Baltimore, Maryland, where they cleared customs before their final leg home to Grissom.

After turning in equipment, they were released until later in the day for final in-processing before beginning their recovery and leave time.

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker 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.

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Public Affairs Staff

Material contained on the Official Grissom Air Reserve Base Internet Web Site is written and produced by members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. The award-winning staff includes:

Ben Mota
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Master Sgt. Wendy Day
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Elise Faurote
Staff writer

Senior Airman Benjamin Cowles
Staff writer