Hardrockers return home from Iraq

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Megan P. Lyon
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  More than 190 Airmen from the 726th Air Control Squadron here returned Jan. 23 after a four-month deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

While deployed to Balad, Kirkuk and Ali Air Bases, the deployed Airmen monitored the airspace over battlefields by using a wide array of radar and support equipment to provide military leaders a clear and accurate 'picture' of the battlefield, allowing commanders to make informed real-time decisions. In addition to monitoring air space, the Airmen performed many other missions, including enemy surveillance and identification, weapons control, joint and combined data-link connectivity, and battle management of offensive and defensive air activities.

"This is the second year that my folks have missed the holidays, but they're proud of the mission they accomplished and I'm proud of the outstanding job they did," said Lt. Col. Alvin Vann, 726th ACS commander, who was deployed with his squadron.

The 726th ACS 'Hardrockers' is a self-sufficient squadron, comprised of 27 Air Force specialty codes, capable of deploying to a bare base and becoming fully operational without external support or help. Due to the unique self-sustaining capability, the 'Hardrockers' include operations, security forces, medics, intelligence, services, supply, satellite communications and a large group of maintainers including vehicle, radio, radar, communications, aerospace ground equipment and heating, ventilation and air conditioning Airmen.

After spending the past four months working long hours in a war zone, the Airmen were welcomed by the waiting crowd of more than 200 family members and friends in Hangar 1333.

Amid the 'welcome home' signs and tearful faces Senior Airman Sean Garrette, 726th ACS operations, was reunited with his wife Mary and their energetic 15-month-old daughter Alina, who promptly wanted daddy to play with her.

"It's hard at times when he's gone," said Mrs. Garrette watching her husband and daughter ramble around the hangar. "He was deployed during Alina's birth and again during her first birthday. It's tough, but we manage."

Across the hangar another family was reuniting after the long separation.

"I'm just happy to be back with my wife and daughters," said Senior Airman Patrick Rowland, 726th ACS ground radio maintainer, hugging his two-and-a-half-year-old daughter Madison, nine-month-old Haley and his wife Mary. "It was a long time away from them, but coming home makes it worthwhile."


While the 'Hardrockers' all returned home safely, nearly 260 Gunfighters remain deployed around the world in support of various U.S. military operations.