Coming home

About 30 Airmen from the 17th Expeditionary Space Control Squadron returned to Peterson Air Force Base from supporting overseas contingency operations early in the frigid morning Dec. 9. The Airmen, all part of the 21st Space Wing, were engaged in delivering needed space control capabilities to rapidly achieve key combatant commander objectives. Col. Stephen N. Whiting, 21st Space Wing commander, welcomed and thanked the returning servicemembers and their families for the sacrifices made during their separation, and Brig. Gen. Dave Warner, Air Force Space Command director of Communications and Information, offered a heartfelt welcome and thank you to the warriors. “While we celebrate their successful accomplishments and safe arrival home, especially so close to the holidays, we must continue to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who remain abroad defending our freedom during this upcoming holiday celebration,” Colonel Whiting said. The warriors represented the first of three expeditionary space control squadrons deployed by the Wing, flawlessly executing key space effects across various areas of responsibility. (Air Force photo by Rob Bussard)