JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
More than 80 Airmen from the 437th Airlift Wing's 14th Airlift Squadron returned home to Joint Base Charleston, S.C., June 16, 2014, having completed their latest deployment to Southwest Asia.
While deployed, the Airmen of the 14th AS served under the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron supporting overseas contingency operations.
"This was the last deployment to the 816th EAS that included both Joint Base Charleston and Lewis-McChord aircrews," said Col. Frederick Boehm, 437th Operations Group commander. "The 14th AS did a fantastic job during a critical time in the EAS. Right now McChord aircrews are manning the entire EAS across three locations. This allows for Charleston to have all four squadrons at home for the first time in several years."
Previously, the return of one squadron coincided with the departure of another; however, a recent schedule change results in all four Charleston-based squadrons being home for a short period.
The deployed crews flew and supported 1,285 sorties, logged more than 3,000 combat flying hours and airlifted more than 40 million pounds of cargo and more than 23,000 personnel throughout the region.
"Our crews deploy to support our nation's objectives around the world and they do a fantastic job every time they go," Boehm said. "But, they can't do it without the support from home. Joint Base Charleston has a very good support structure to include squadrons, Key Spouses and Airman and Family Readiness, but it is the sacrifices of their families and friends that allow our Airmen to focus on their mission. I want to send a big thank you to all the family members, friends and the Joint Base Charleston support team because we can't do it without them."