442nd Airmen Return to Whiteman Air Force Base

by Tech. Sgt. Emily F. Alley
442d Fighter Wing

10/27/2014 - WHITEMAN AFB, Mo. -- Airmen from the 442d Fighter Wing, from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., returned here from a seven-month deployment to Bagram, Afghanistan October 26 and 27.

The final, largest wave of 321 personnel, comprised of 245 Reservists and 76 Active Duty Airmen, were deployed in support of a close-air support mission flying the A-10 Thunderbolt and saving lives of Americans and their allies in Afghanistan.

During the deployment, the Airmen were critical to the generation of 2,500 flying missions, totaling 9,600 flying hours. They supported more than 400 requests for assistance from troops in combat, accumulating more than 50,000 rounds and 57,000 pounds of munitions spent.

"These numbers are impressive," said Col. Hubie Hegtvedt, commander of the 442d Fighter Wing, "but what's more important to me is the fact that because of our Airmen there are troops on the ground who are alive today and going home to their families."

Friends and families of the returning Airmen gathered near the flight line here to welcome them, seven of whom were meeting their newborn children for the first time.

Lt. Col. Bryan Stone, deployed commander of the A-10 squadron, commended the work of his Airmen and said, "They did a great job and they're the reason we flew successfully. It's been a long seven months- I'm proud to bring them home."

Here is a look at the homecoming from the 442nd Facebook

(Courtesy of 442nd Public Affairs)