It's been too long

Tech. Sgt. Josh Rich, 419th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, embraces his wife, Brandie. Sergeant Rich was among about 30 other reservists from the 419th Fighter Wing who returned from a nearly five-month deployment to Afghanistan May 28. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bryan Magaña)

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Hold tight

Staff Sgt. Nathan Nelson, 419th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, holds his son, Luke. Sergeant Nelson was one of about 30 reservists from the 419th Fighter Wing to return to Hill Air Force Base from Afghanistan May 28. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bryan Magaña)

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Overjoyed

Samuel Nelson holds the hand of his father, Staff Sgt. Nathan Nelson of the 419th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, who returned from a nearly five-month deployment to Afghanistan May 28. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bryan Magaña)

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Watch for it

Eager children await the arrival of the parents and loved ones, some 300 Airmen from the 419th and 388th Fighter Wings who returned to Hill Air Force Base from Afghanistan May 28. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bryan Magaña)

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Pride in his Airmen

Col. Walter “Buck” Sams, 419th Fighter Wing commander, awaits arrival of the jet that will bring back about 300 Airmen from the 419th and 388th Fighter Wings. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bryan Magaña)

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Streaming off

Airmen returning from a nearly five-month deployment to Afghanistan arrive on the flightline of Hill Air Force Base May 28. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bryan Magaña)

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PHOTO ESSAY: Airmen back from Afghanistan

Published May 28, 2010
By Bryan Magaña
419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UTAH -- Hundreds of people gathered on the flightline at Hill Air Force Base today to welcome their loved ones home. About 300 Airmen from the 419th and 388th Fighter Wings returned after a nearly five-month deployment to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.

In January, F-16s, pilots, maintainers and personnel assigned to the 34th Fighter Squadron, 34th Aircraft Maintenance Unit and other 388th and 419th FW squadrons deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Their primary mission was to maintain security and stability in the region by providing close air support for coalition ground troops.

For more photos, click the arrows in the photo box on the right.

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It's been too long

Hold tight

Overjoyed

Watch for it

Pride in his Airmen

Streaming off