Family, friends welcome 7th AS home

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Leah Young
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  More than 120 Airmen from McChord Field's 7th Airlift Squadron were greeted by family and friends Feb. 29 after a 60-day deployment in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, New Dawn, Odyssey Dawn and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

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.

"It was an honor for us to serve as the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron in this critical time of Operation Enduring Freedom," said Lt. Col. Eric Carney, 817th EAS commander. "The unit was made up of active duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen from various units who served with pride and professionalism while supporting the joint force. I am truly humbled to be their commander and could not be prouder of their service."

During their deployment, the C-17 squadron flew 707 sorties, equaling more than 2,360 hours, moved more than 41,579 passengers and delivered more than 22.9 million pounds of combat sustainment cargo for U.S. military forces in Iraq, Afghanistan and operations in East Africa.

According to returning Airmen, the joint environment was a positive and effective way to operate.

"It was great to work with our partners from the National Guard and Air Force Reserve," said Staff Sgt. John Krisman, 7th AS loadmaster. "It was a good deployment. We stayed busy and got everything done. It's great to finally be home."

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.