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Shaw welcomes 77th FS home from Afghanistan

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Krystal M. Jeffers
  • 20th Fighter Wing
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The 77th Fighter Squadron returned here, April 25, from a six month deployment to Afghanistan where they supported Operation Enduring Freedom and provided close-air support for coalition forces.

The Patriot Guard Riders is a motorcycle group that supports the Armed Forces and  honor the returnees by creating a tunnel of flags for the Airmen to walk through upon disembarking the aircraft. In addition to the Patriot Guard Riders, more than 400 friends and family members gathered to welcome approximately 100 members of the 77th FS and the 20th Fighter Wing home with flags, signs and patriotic clothing.

"It's great to be back with my family," said Staff Sgt. Thomas McGarity, 20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment maintainer. "Coming off the plane and seeing the crowd was an adrenaline rush. There isn't anything like it."

Some members of the crowd started to cry at the sight of the plane landing and others cheered.

"I feel overjoyed and overwhelmed," said Michelle Robertson, the wife of Maj. Josh "Banjo" Robertson, 77th FS pilot. "He is finally home. It has been a long six months."

In front of the crowd was Col. Lance Kildron, 20th FW vice commander, and several other Team Shaw leaders who greeted the returning Airmen with handshakes and hugs as they stepped off the aircraft.

Watching them step off the aircraft reminded Kildron of the first time he returned from deployment and how happy he had been to be back. It made him think about how happy the returning Airmen and their families were to be together again after being apart for an extended period of time, Kildron said.

"It was challenging being apart for so long," said Maj. Brian "Rookie" Grossweiler, 77th FS pilot. "It was hard missing my son's birth and watching my daughter grow up on Skype, but that is over now. All I want to do now is spend time with the family."

"I am so excited to have my family back together," added Leah Grossweiler, who is Grossweiler's wife. "Being without him for all these months was the most challenging time of my life. I am so relieved and very grateful that he made it back safe."