AFMC Command News

Hanscom welcomes home deployed members

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Lisa Spilinek
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  A crowd of more than 500 gathered in the Aero Club Hangar here Jan. 19 to welcome home 80 Hanscom deployers.

The Heroes' Homecoming, the first event of its kind here, honored troops who returned from deployments over the past six months.

Chief Master Sgt. Lisa Sirois, 66th Air Base Wing and Electronic Systems Center command chief master sergeant, called the celebration "absolutely awesome."

"This is an opportunity to really say 'thank you' for the tremendous services that these individuals performed," Chief Sirois said. "They represented our country, our Air Force and our installation wonderfully."

The homecoming truly was a celebration.

"Everybody is here because they want to be," said Capt. Jessica Rose, who recently returned from Afghanistan. "It's great to take the time to say 'thanks.'"

Deployers were recognized individually in front of a cheering crowd and presented medallions by base leaders for their services. Their family members were given medallions as well.

"Many who deployed were separated from their families for months," said Col. Tom Schluckebier, 66th ABW commander. "Others left behind friends and the familiar comforts of home to serve in dangerous locations because they realized the importance of their mission and their role in fighting the Global War on Terror. We owe each of them our respect and gratitude."

Returnees offered thanks to those in attendance.

"It's nice to know that what you did and the sacrifices that you made are recognized," said Tech. Sgt. Jillian John, who recently returned from deployment. "It's nice to know that other than my family missing me, other people missed me too."

"This event is over the top," said Maj. Jeffrey Joers, who deployed to Iraq. "The hardest thing [about deployment] is being away, but the best thing is making an important contribution to building a nation."

Capt. Joseph Barber, who deployed to Kuwait and performed convoy duties in Iraq, also mentioned the difficulties of "being away."

His son Matt, 7, said, "I was really sad when he [his father] was gone. He was gone a really long time and I missed him."

"The families are the real heroes," said Captain Barber who expressed his thankfulness for the outpouring of support from base personnel and the Patriot Guard Riders.

Captain Barber noted the role Hanscom Airmen play in fighting the Global War on Terror, mentioning an increasing deployment operations tempo and the Air Force's continued support of deployed Army personnel.

"The acquisition community is certainly not out of the fight," the captain said.

Colonel Schluckebier explained that since Hanscom is a small unit and does not have a flying mission, the base tends to send deployers out in small groups when compared with other installations. However, Colonel Schluckebier added that "our guys deserve this kind of homecoming as much as anyone else. It's important to recognize these Airmen for who they are -- they are all heroes."

The base plans to hold a homecoming event twice a year to welcome home future deployers.