8th AS returns home after 75-day deployment

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Frances Kriss
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  More than 90 Airmen from McChord Field's 8th Airlift Squadron were greeted by family and friends July 30 after a 75-day deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The Airmen were deployed as the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron. Their mission was to provide global strategic airlift, airdrop, aeromedical evacuation and humanitarian relief, to create an air bridge for personnel, equipment and supplies throughout the assigned areas of responsibility.

"Our deployment was a total success as a result of the hard work, professionalism and selfless efforts of our team, including our sister squadrons, reserve counterparts from the 446th Airlift Wing, and crews from the 535th Airlift Squadron (Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam)," said Lt. Col. Harmon Lewis, 817th EAS commander. "We were fortunate to be a part of a wide variety of missions including airlift, airdrop, air refueling, distinguished visitors, and aeromedical evacuation. Our men and women delivered first class service to the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines either on their way into Afghanistan or during their redeployment to home station."

During their deployment, the C-17 squadron flew 635 sorties, equaling more than 1,500 hours, moved more than 45,500 passengers and delivered more than 19 million pounds of combat sustainment cargo for U.S. military forces in and out of the U.S. Central Command area of operations. In addition, they airdropped more than 600 container delivery system bundles to remote outposts in Afghanistan and conducted five emergency aeromedical evacuations for wounded service members.

"From top to bottom, this unit performed magnificently while engaged in combat operations as part of Operation Enduring Freedom," said Lewis, serving his second combat command tour. "This is the second deployment in less than one year for the 'Workhorses' of the 8th Airlift Squadron, and I cannot think of a prouder moment in my Air Force career. It is an honor and a pleasure to serve with such fantastic Americans."

The 62nd AW's four active-duty flying squadrons share responsibility for the deployed squadron and rotate operating the 817th EAS continuously. The deployments allow Air Mobility Command to consistently position assets closer to the areas of responsibility.