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Members of the 76th Airlift Squadron and their families welcomed home their co-workers from a nearly three-month deployment to Afghanistan March 15 on Ramstein.
The 76th AS is responsible for providing support six months out of the year through executive airlift and aeromedical evacuation.
“We used to do this for two to four months,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Mangan, 76th AS commander. “Now it’s six, and we split it up. The group that came back on the 15th was there (for nearly three months), and that aircraft turned right back around with more troops to finish out the deployment commitment.
“We send one aircraft out there to support a very unique mission,” Mangan continued. “They’re operating in a niche that no one else in the Air Force really does. They’re quiet professionals. They’re the best in the business, so it was neat to welcome them home with their families.”
The 76th AS Airmen and family members greeted the teammates as they deplaned. Spouses, children, friends and co-workers welcomed the returnees home and thanked them for their commitment, sacrifice and dedication to the mission.
“I think it’s incredibly important to let our Airmen know that when we deploy them downrange to a combat environment, we’re sending them to a place that is inherently dangerous, and there’s risk,” Mangan said. “They’re separated from us and their families. When they come back, having been exposed to that environment, we want to embrace, thank and welcome them home.”
Though a few months may not seem like a long time, it made a noticeable difference for Maj. Thomas Chapman, 76th AS chief of training, when seeing his 4-month-old daughter again.
“My daughter is young enough that she won’t remember, but for me to see her again was really great,” Chapman said. “When I left, she was a lot smaller and less aware, so it was amazing to see how much she has grown. I was happy to see how healthy she is and how well my wife has been taking care of her. I haven’t had a homecoming with a child yet, so it was a completely new experience.
“We didn’t really think about the welcome home, so to see our squadron there surprised us all,” Chapman continued. “It was exciting to see everyone. It was a wonderful welcome home, and it’s great to be back with our squadron and back in our families’ arms.”
