Dozens of members of the 94th Airlift Wing returned to Dobbins Air Reserve Base on Friday.MARIETTA, Ga. -
Dozens of members of the 94th Airlift Wing returned to Dobbins Air Reserve Base on Friday.
The unit has been deployed to the Southwest Asia for four months, flying many of their missions in combat. Community leaders, wives, children and grandparents greeted the 53 men and women of the wing with a welcome home ceremony.
"Very surreal, very surreal. It is almost unimaginable. Very exciting. Four months ago I was praying a different prayer and today I'm very excited, bubbly, and just thankful, very thankful," said Amber Harrell, a wife of one of the returning reservists.
Most of the returning men and women are pilots and maintenance personnel who spent the last four months in southwest Asia.
Officials said that the 53 men and women flew 2700 hours, 1900 of which were in combat.
For many of these reservists, a lot has changed since they left. Matthew Harrell came back to find his 17-month-old son now walking.
"It's amazing. it brought tears to my eyes," said Harrell.
Family members say the last few months have been tough, but say it's been tougher on the men and women who sacrificed so much.
Officials with wing say another 100 reservists will be returning home over the course of the next few days.
The 94th Airlift Wing recruits and trains Air Force reservists to help transport cargo and personnel in and out of remote locations. The reservists can also deliver paratroopers and equipment by airdrop during combat.
