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Show HILLTOP TIMES Hilltop TIMES July 25, 2013 5 Friends and family await their military member in 729th Air Control Squadron to return from an overseas deployment at Hill Air Force Base on July 21. 729TH From page 1 could go into labor anytime in the next couple of days. She said, "It's amazing to have him here. It's choice; it's overwhelming," she said with her eyes expressing what she couldn't quite say with words. Col. Jay Bickley, 552nd Air Control Wing commander, flew to Utah from Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City for the return of the 729th Air Control Squadron. "Every time we deploy forces, we take it very seriously, because it is a family business we're in, since the impact is felt across the entire family," Bickley said. "This is the happy part of the deployment, because we get to welcome them home and support them for their service." Members of the Utah Patriot Guard Riders lined the tarmac with flags to help welcome them home. Ken Donaghy, spokesman for the group, said that members from Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Vietnam and even active members of the military participated in this welcome home to returning veterans. Another family member, Capt. Dennis Napier, had driven up from Canon AFB, to greet his wife, Capt. Megan Ziegert, as she returned home. He reported they have both experienced multiple deployments. "It's too many to count. It's her fourth deployment in as many years," he said, quietly as the group awaited the arrival. The off-duty Air Force captain, dressed in a red polo shirt and tan slacks, carried an elegant bouquet for his spouse. "I am more proud of her, she has done one hell of a job," he said, when asked about how they felt about each other's service. They met in 2003 at McClellan Air Force Base. Another family had assembled early to greet returning mom, Joslyn Suarte. Bradley and Shane Suarte carried signs they had made themselves and their dad quietly explained that this third deployment had meant the family had made the adjustments repeatedly so they had a system of sorts in place for her deployments. One of the boys admitted he had even lost a little sleep the night before, but added quickly he also had a sum- AIRMAN 1ST CLASS TIFFANY DeNAULT/U.S. Air Force Members of the 729th Air Control Squadron descend the airstairs upon their return from an overseas deployment at Hill Air Force Base, on July 21. Approximately 140 members of the 729th ACS "Angry Warriors" returned home from a sixmonth deployment to Southwest Asia. First Lt. Rob Ferreira, 729th Air Control Squadron, holds his daughter, Noelle, and son, Jacob, upon return from an overseas deployment at Hill AFB, as his wife, Vania, takes in the moment. They were awaiting the arrival of their third child any day now and were excited that Rob had made it in time for the anticipated delivery. Even then, the reunion process continued as relieved, tired and happy members of the squadron waited for luggage. A couple paused away from the crowd for at least one more sweet, lingering and long kiss in a quiet reunion. mer cold, so he attributed it to that, although excitement mounted just a bit in his voice as he talked about her anticipated arrival. One group carried balloons with Mickey Mouse on top as daughter Shylynn, waited for her mom, Tech. Sgt. Rachelle Herman, to get off the plane. Rachelle's mom, Bunny Dicesare, had driven from three or four states away to be here, and another family member held balloons as they talked about plans being made to visit a theme park. Hot dogs, brownies, drinks and other goodies were on hand for the crowd as well as a bouncy castle and face painting to help keep the youngest ones occupied during the wait. Lt. Col. Darin Humison, 729th Air Control Squadron commander, thanks the deployed members and their families after returning from an overseas deployment. He said he was extremely proud of his "Angry Warriors." Once the commander welcomed them home he said they could get out of there as soon as they wanted, explaining where to get their luggage, and the crowd quickly thinned out. Even then, the reunion process continued as relieved, tired and happy members of the squadron waited for luggage. A couple paused away from the crowd for at least one more sweet, lingering and long kiss in a quiet reunion. These Angry Warriors who had provided command and control, surveillance and communication link functions for combined combatant commanders for more than six months, were finally home. Samantha Beaubien, Shylynn Herman and Bunny Dicesare wait for Tech. Sgt. Rachelle Herman, 729th Air Control Squadron. |