May 5, 2003
Travis welcomes home KC-10 crews, maintainers
By Senior Airman Nicole Watt
60th Air Mobility Wing
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AMCNS) - Travis AFB has welcomed home more than 100 people deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Aircrews, maintainers and support personnel returned April 29 aboard five KC-10 aircraft to families, friends and co-workers who eagerly awaited their arrival.
Returning members were instrumental in operating, maintaining and supporting the KC-10s, that refueled hundreds of aircraft during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Travis crews were a part of the more than 9,700 aerial refueling sorties flown by the Air Force, which delivered more than 410 million pounds (60 million gallons) of fuel to coalition aircraft.
Gathered on the flight line, anticipation began to build as the first plane was sighted. Cheers and hollers drowned out the band as the lead plane made a fly-by over the crowd.
"My husband called on Saturday to tell me he'd be home," said Amber Miller. "It was our first wedding anniversary. I couldn't have asked for a better gift." Her husband, Staff Sgt. James Miller of the 660th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, had been gone for four months. "It was really hard to do without him. I've never lived by myself, and I never thought I'd have to again."
Children in attendance were almost unmanageable, knowing they were just a few minutes away from reuniting with mom or dad.
"I'm going to sprint out there when I see him," said Michael Santa about his dad. According to Michael, his father, Master Sgt. Jairo Santa, flight engineer, 6th Air Refueling Squadron, will have many sporting events and other activities to attend now that he has returned.
"I can't rest now until I see my daddy," said 5-year-old Renee Reeves. "I have so many new things to show him, but I'm just glad he's home."
Renee's mom, Shelia Reeves, has been a military spouse for more than 12 years.
"This was much different than the Gulf War," she said. "Last time, my husband was in and out, gone for only a few weeks at a time. This time he was gone for two months."
In those two months, Master Sgt. Kieron Reeves, 60th Operations Group flight engineer, missed two big milestones in his daughters' lives. Amongst other things, Ashley, 6, lost her first front tooth, and both girls earned their yellow belt in karate.
Mrs. Reeves is looking forward to having her husband home. "I'm sure the girls will be non-stop 'daddy this, daddy that'," she said. "But that will give me a little bit of a break."
As members of the second KC-10 walked toward the crowd, the Reeves girls sighted their dad. Security Forces had quite a handful keeping little Renee from running out to her father on the flight line. The girls finally weaseled by and ran into their dad's open arms.
"It feels fantastic to be home," said Sergeant Reeves, as he was showered with kisses and hugs from his girls and wife. "All I ask is that everyone remember those still deployed. Only when everyone comes home will the mission be complete."
Commanders at the homecoming celebration also took note that this return represents a small portion of the hundreds of Travis people still deployed. Commanders said they are also very proud of those folks and grateful to those families, remembering there are many who have been downrange since Thanksgiving of last year.
Though some Travis members will be returning in upcoming weeks as the mission in Iraq evolves, many will remain deployed for some time, providing support, mobility, airlift and refueling capabilities to answer in-theater needs.
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