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| Updated: 11/16/2011 10:01 pm |
Published: 11/16/2011 9:43 pm |
JACKSONVILLE, AR - Nearly 200 airmen returned home Wednesday night after a six month deployment in Southwest Asia. The airmen were supporting operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait.
More than 300 family members were on hand to welcome them back to Arkansas.
Waiting on the tarmac for her husband Blake is Ashley Mayfield. “He’s home for Thanksgiving and gets to spend Christmas with the kids and do all the fun things he’s missed the last six months.”
Ashley says she’s had her hands full while Blake has been away. Luckily, her mother-in-law Betty Bunn has made sure she doesn’t have to do it all alone.
“You have to pull together. Be supportive. We’re a supportive family. Ashley’s a wonderful daughter-in-law. We’re a very close family,” says Bunn.
The airmen stepping off the plane are rushed by friends and family. Some are seeing their sons and daughters for the first time. Others plan to get reacquainted with their family.
Jeff Houser’s son was only 2-months-old when he deployed. He says he is looking forward to spending some time with him.
