AF Reserve security forces reunite with friends, family

Published Feb. 9, 2009
By Tech. Sgt. Daniel Butterfield
302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The waiting area of the Colorado Springs Airport looked like a surprise party Feb. 5. Loved ones were holding banners and balloons to welcome the guests of honor. Children, up past their bedtimes, were struggling to stay awake, waiting to catch a glimpse of their mothers and fathers, who, after a delayed return, were finally coming home.

More than 50 family members and friends showed up to welcome home almost 30 members of the 302nd Security Forces Squadron after they returned from an eight-month deployment, including six months in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"I can't wait to see him in front of me with Thomas," said Laurie Sanchez, who was waiting with her two-year-old son "They're best friends. He was 18-months old when he left and now Thomas is talking. I'm ready to get back to normal, daily life."

While in Iraq, the security forces provided integrated base defense, physical security and antiterrorism and force protection measures for allied personnel and resources at Forward Operating Base Warrior at one of the U.S.'s northern bases there, Kirkuk Regional Air Base.

Many members of the 302nd Airlift Wing's leadership were also on hand to welcome back the Citizen Airmen.

"I'm thrilled to be here," said Chief Master Sergeant Kirby Schueler, 302nd AW command chief master sergeant. "Some of these cops I've worked with for more than 15 years. I'm proud to be with them today before I retire."

The security members were excited to be home with their families and get back to their normal routine and American way of life. "I can't wait to barbeque with my family again, even if it's 20 degrees outside," said an excited Senior Airman Miguel Negron. "But I'm also ready to get back to snowboarding."

Members of the 302nd SFS joined others Airmen from two other squadrons for the July 27 deployment to Iraq. Security forces members from both the 310th Space Wing and 710th Space Group, based at Schriever AFB and Buckley AFB, Colo., respectively, were expected to return just days later.

'Welcome home, daddy'