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910th aircrews, maintainers and aircraft return from Southwest Asia deployment

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Bob Barko Jr.
  • 910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION, Ohio --  Family, friends and fellow Air Force Reservists braved frigid temperatures and blowing snow to welcome home approximately 40 Citizen Airmen and four aircraft assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing, just outside of the 76th Aerial Port Squadron hangar here, Jan. 19, 2012.

Soon after the returning troops climbed down from the C-130H Hercules cargo transport aircrafts and crossed the blustery and cold flightline, they were greeted by a warm reception of hugs, tears of joy, laughter and applause.

Master Sgt. Dan Bryant, a communications/navigation systems craftsman assigned to the 910th Maintenance Squadron, was immediately wrapped in the embrace of his daughters and his wife.

"Play Barbies (with him)," exclaimed Bryant's younger daughter as she explained the first thing she wanted to do with her daddy, now that he has returned home.

Bryant's older daughter was simply looking forward to just being with her father.

"It's definitely better to see him in person. Much better than over the computer," she said.

While Bryant was also excited to be home with his family, he took a moment to reflect on the deployment.

"I was impressed with everyone's efforts. It could not have gone any better (than it did)," said Bryant.

Bryant and his fellow returning Servicemembers are assigned to the flying and maintenance squadrons at YARS. They are the last of more than 140 Citizen Airmen coming home to Northeast Ohio after a 120-day deployment to Southwest Asia.

While overseas, the 910th members supported airlift operations to various military installations throughout the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) Area of Operations (AOR). During their deployment, the 910th Servicemembers and aircraft completed 2562 flying hours during the course of 354 missions. During these missions, the aircrews moved 7047 passengers, hauled 2862 tons of cargo and transported 230 patients for a mission effectiveness rate of 99.3%.

"Here at the 910th, we are allotted about 2800 flying hours per year," said Col. Craig Peters, 910th Operations Group commander, "They completed more than 2500 hours of flying in about four months and worked pretty darn hard. They are upholding the outstanding reputation that Youngstown (Air Reserve Station) has."