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They’re Baaaack: Global Vikings return home from Djibouti

  • Published
  • By Senior Airmen Matthew Reisdorf
  • 934th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL AIR RESERVE STATION, Minn. --  

Approximately 150 934th Airlift Wing Airmen returned home from a deployment to Djibouti in the Horn of Africa this week.

The Airmen deployed in support of Operation East Africa Counterterrorism. The mission's main goal was to conduct operations that enhanced partner nation capacity, promote regional peace and stability, dissuade conflict, and protect the U.S. and its allies' interests.

Tech Sgt. Stephanie Kreofsky, a 934th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, hugs her children after arriving home from a deployment to Djibouti at Minneapolis-St. Paul Air Reserve Station, Minnesota, on June 8, 2023. Kreofsky and approximately 150 934th Airlift Wing Airmen returned from deployment after being gone for three months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matthew Reisdorf)

Tech Sgt. Stephanie Kreofsky, a 934th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, hugs her children after arriving home from a deployment to Djibouti at Minneapolis-St. Paul Air Reserve Station, Minnesota, on June 8, 2023. Kreofsky and approximately 150 934th Airlift Wing Airmen returned from deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matthew Reisdorf)
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At the end of the deployment, the 96th Airlift Squadron successfully flew over 900 hours, 399 sorties and evacuated 15 patients. Moreover, the 934th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron worked hard to ensure all 934th AW C-130Hs Hercules were airworthy in the harsh Djibouti heat to meet mission completion. 

Having deployed numerous times throughout his career, Lt. Col. Kenneth Rogers, 934th Operations Support Squadron director of operations, stepped off the plane happy because this deployment was different for him and his family.

Lt. Col Kenneth Rogers, a 934th Operations Support Squadron director of operations, hugs his family after arriving at Minneapolis-St. Paul Air Reserve Station on June 8, 2023. Rogers and approximately 150 934 AW Airmen and multiple C-130 Hercules aircraft returned home from a three-month deployment to Djibouti in the Horn of Africa supporting Operation East Africa Counterterrorism’s mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matthew Reisdorf)

Lt. Col Kenneth Rogers, a 934th Operations Support Squadron director of operations, hugs his family after arriving at Minneapolis-St. Paul Air Reserve Station on June 8, 2023. Rogers and approximately 150 934 AW Airmen and multiple C-130 Hercules aircraft returned home from a three-month deployment to Djibouti in the Horn of Africa supporting Operation East Africa Counterterrorism’s mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matthew Reisdorf)
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"This is the best feeling of any deployment," said Rogers. "This one is just special because my family has been with me through all of these. It's my last one, and it's great just to be home."

"All the train-up that goes into this lasts about one to two years," said Chief Master Sgt. Jennifer Murphy, the 934th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron superintendent. "It all builds up to this. The deployment is kind of like our Super bowl. It's a constant preparation that enables all our training to be used fully."

1st Lt. Riley Komurka, 96th Airlift Squadron pilot, holds the American flag on top of a taxiing 934th Airlift Wing C-130H Hercules aircraft at Minnesota-St. Paul Air Reserve Station, Minnesota, June 5, 2023. More than 150 934 AW Airmen and multiple C-130s returned home from a three-month deployment to Djibouti in the Horn of Africa supporting Operation East Africa Counterterrorism’s mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Chris Farley)

1st Lt. Riley Komurka, 96th Airlift Squadron pilot, holds the American flag on top of a taxiing 934th Airlift Wing C-130H Hercules aircraft at Minnesota-St. Paul Air Reserve Station, Minnesota, June 5, 2023. More than 150 934 AW Airmen and multiple C-130s returned home from a three-month deployment to Djibouti in the Horn of Africa supporting Operation East Africa Counterterrorism’s mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Chris Farley)
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Leading up to the 934th AW's homecoming, numerous organizations at the event served food and refreshments donated to 934th AW family members and friends. Those organizations were: The American Legion Department of Minnesota, The Hugo Beyond the Yellow Ribbon chapter, and The Hiway Credit Union Beyond the Yellow Ribbon chapter.

The 934th AW, known as the "Global Vikings," is Minnesota's only Air Force Reserve unit. It is a combat-ready Air Force Reserve Command flying unit that serves as the host for Army, Navy, Marine and Air National Guard units at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Air Reserve Station.