by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Arredondo, 437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AFNS) -- More than 130 Charleston Air Force Base Airmen returned here Jan. 3 from their 120-day deployment in Southwest Asia supporting the war on terrorism.
While deployed, the Airmen of the 15th Airlift Squadron served under the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron and supported operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and operations in the Horn of Africa.
"It's great to have them back," said Col. John Millander, the 437th Airlift Wing commander. "As with the previous two deployments ... the 15th AS broke every record in the book."
While deployed, 15th AS Airmen flew the C-17 Globemaster III in more than 3,000 sorties, logged more than 5,400 combat flying hours and airlifted more than 130 million pounds of cargo and 79,000 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and distinguished visitors throughout Southwest Asia.
Squadron members also executed 80 airdrop missions, performed 121 airdrops dropping more than 2,600 bundles and more than 3 million pounds of supplies ranging from water and food to construction equipment into remote regions of Afghanistan.
"To put it into perspective, the 816th EAS airdropped more equipment to combat zones in four months than all C-17 airdrops of 2006 and 2007 combined," said Lt. Col. John Lamontagne, the 15th AS commander.
Though the Airmen from the 15th AS met and exceeded their mission requirements, for one particular Airman a call on Dec. 25 made his deployment memorable.
"The highpoint of my deployment was talking with (President George W. Bush)," said Senior Airman Dan Gutowski, a 15th AS loadmaster.
He said the president guided the conversation, but asked how the mission was going and how morale was among the Airmen. Airman Gutowski said the conversation concluded with the president thanking him and asking him to say "Thanks" to his fellow Airmen on his behalf.
Airman Gutowski was one of nine servicemembers across the Department of Defense who received a phone call from the president on Christmas Day.
Along with the homecoming of the 15th AS, another loadmaster was presented with a Stripes for Exceptional Performers promotion to technical sergeant.
"I feel good that I was able to stand up and get those stripes for all of my supervisors, co-workers, commanders and mentors who afforded me the opportunity to succeed," said Tech. Sgt. Joshua Watson, a 15th AS loadmaster.
But while Airmen were reveling in their accomplishment from both their deployed locations and here, it was the anticipation and excitement of Airmen and their loved ones of being reunited that made the day special.
One wife of a loadmaster said she was anxious about her husband's return. Brandi Braunwarth, wife of Airman 1st Class Joe Braunwarth of the 15th AS, said she was excited to have him home.
"It feels great to be home," said Airman Braunwarth while holding his son, Weston.