Welcome home 137th!

Staff Sgt. Anthony Welden receives huge welcome home hugs and tears from wife and children after returning home from Southwest Asia Tuesday Aug. 6. Welden and about 13 other members from the 137th Air Refueling Wing, Oklahoma Air National Guard spent nearly 70 days overseas in support of combat operations. Returning members were not only greeted by loved ones, but also by Gen. Paul J. Selva, commander, Air Mobility Command and Maj. Gen. Myles L. Deering, the adjunct general, Oklahoma National Guard. After being thanked for their efforts, they were cut loose to go spend well-needed time with family and friends. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Mark Hybers)

Air Guardsmen return from Southwest Asia

Published Aug. 13, 2013
By Lt. Col. Kimberly Howerton
507th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla, -- Fourteen members of the 137th Air Refueling Wing, Oklahoma Air National Guard returned from a deployment to Southwest Asia here on Tuesday, Aug. 6.

The Guardsmen were a mix of maintenance and operations personnel supporting air refueling missions in the central command air of responsibility.

In addition to being greeted by family and friends, they were also welcomed back by Gen. Paul Selva, Air Mobility Command commander and Maj. Gen. Myles Deering, the Adjutant General, Oklahoma National Guard.

With family members surrounding them, Deering thanked the members for their service while welcoming them back to Oklahoma.

"One thing I'm probably most proud of in the Reserve component is building the family piece, the family force, and you are part of our force. I want to thank your families," General Deering said. "I know they've missed birthdays, baseball games, missed holidays and you continue to support them and allow our Airmen and Soldiers to serve, and for that I'm eternally grateful. Your Airmen and your sacrifice are no different."

He closed his comments telling them, "God bless you, have fun, and enjoy this reunion time."