Missouri Airmen return home from overseas deployment in time for holidays

By Jenna Wilson

More than 100 members of the 139th Airlift Wing are ready to make up for lost time with their families after arriving home in time for the holidays Tuesday.

Airmen from the 139th Airlift Wing have been serving overseas as part of a scheduled deployment to U.S. Africa Command’s area of responsibility. They were providing airlift support throughout the region.

“We were supporting some counterterrorism activities and, as many know, the C-130 obviously can carry a lot of cargo,” said Mark Gaines, a rank major who was deployed overseas. “There are much bigger airplanes, newer airplanes, out there that can get into big places. But, in the heart of Africa, there’s, some smaller runways that require a C-130 or something smaller to get into it.”

The return home marks a special day and waiting outside of Rosecrans Memorial Airport Tuesday afternoon were dozens of families holding signs to welcome back their loved ones. Some families full of children were looking forward to spending quality time with returning parents.

“It’s been a really exciting day,” said Gannon Whetstine, a son to a 139th Airlift member. “I’m so happy right now. I can’t wait to see my dad. I miss wrestling with him and just having him around at home.”

Time spent away can be difficult for men and women of the 139th Airlift Wing, as they miss out on important family events but serving the community is something many said they take pride in.

“It’s kind of sad that we missed some of the holidays,” Gaines said. “I missed my wife’s birthday last week, which was actually on Thanksgiving, but I’m glad I’m here now and we’re ready to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s. We are always proud to support the ground forces.”

Airmen from the 139th are scheduled to have two weeks off before deploying again.