APS Airmen return from deployment

  • Published
  • By Tyler Hemstreet
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
More than 40 Airmen from the 62nd Aerial Port Squadron returned home Jan. 16 after a 120-day deployment to Iraq in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

"I am excited to see our Airmen return home and reunite with their families," said Lt. Col. Marydarlene Morgan, 62nd Mission Support Group commander. "Our Airmen remain prepared to deploy anywhere, anytime. They've had a successful deployment, and we're very proud of them."

Master Sgt. Ferdinand Oben, 62nd APS, returned home with the group after serving at a forward operating base in Northern Iraq.

One of the most gratifying things his group accomplished on the deployment was preparing an Army detachment of water convoys for airlift, he said.

"It was nice to be able to help take some of the burden off them and get them off of the dangerous roads," Sergeant Oben said. "It kept us pretty busy, but it was nice to be able to use airlift in the theater."

Upon returning home, Sergeant Oben said he was grateful to be able to spend some quality time with his family.

"We all came home together -- that's the important thing," he said. "We all came home safely and there were no issues or mishaps."

While deployed, they accomplished 206 missions and managed cargo on 584 C-17 Globemaster IIIs, 501 C-130 Hercules and 153 IL-66s, as well as 32 other aircraft. They moved more than 114,000 passengers and more than 18,434 tons of equipment.