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Released: April 25, 2003

Offutt crews return home after supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom

By 2nd Lt. Bob Everdeen
55th Wing Public Affairs

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. (ACCNS) -- Airmen from the 55th Wing returned from an Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment April 18 and 22 to cheers of joy and support from family members, co-workers, local media and community leaders.

The first group brought home one of the wing's RC-135 Cobra Ball aircraft and the second brought the RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft. The crews of electronic warfare officers, intelligence operators and in-flight maintenance technicians were deployed several months in support of OIF.

Also returning "home" was an EC-130 Compass Call aircraft and crew from Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. The aircraft, assigned to the 55th Wing, but stationed at the 355th Wing at Davis-Monthan, stopped for a "gas and go" here April 23.

"We're extremely proud of the work these men and women have done for the wing, the Air Force, the Iraqi people and the coalition," said Col. John Daly, the 55th Wing vice commander. "We are glad they are home safe, but we can't forget those still engaged. We won't rest easy until all are back home safe, mission complete."

The 45th Reconnaissance Squadron flies the Cobra Ball for Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed missions of national priority to collect optical and electronic data on ballistic missiles and their associated re-entry vehicles.

The flight crew of an RC-135 Cobra Ball consists of two pilots and two navigators. The mission crew is made up of five electronic warfare officers, two in-flight maintenance technicians and six other mission specialists.

The 38th and 343rd reconnaissance squadrons fly the Rivet Joint. The reconnaissance aircraft supports theater and national level commanders with near real time intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination capabilities. The aircraft seats 32 people, including the cockpit crew, electronic warfare officers, intelligence operators and in-flight maintenance technicians.