Airmen return from AOR

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing return from a deployment at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., April 10, 2016. Approximately 300 Airmen deployed to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility for six months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kelsey Tucker)

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Airmen return from AOR

A U.S. Airman assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing gives his squadron’s hand sign as he returns to Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., April 10, 2016. Approximately 300 Airmen deployed to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility for six months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kelsey Tucker)

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Airmen return from AOR

A child waves an American flag during a return of service members to Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., April 13, 2016. Approximately 300 20th Figher Wing Airmen returned after a six-month deployment to the to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Destinee Dougherty)

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Airmen return from AOR

Team Shaw leadership create a greeting line to welcome home Airmen assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., April 13, 2016. Approximately 300 Airmen returned after deploying to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility for six months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Maldonado)

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Airmen return from AOR

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing return to Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., April 13, 2016. Approximately 300 Airmen deployed for six months to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jensen Stidham)

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Airmen return from AOR

Team Shaw family members await the return of deployed 20th Fighter Wing Airmen at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., April 13, 2016. Approximately 300 Airmen deployed for six months to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jensen Stidham)

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Airmen return from AOR

A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing kisses his significant other after returning to Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., April 13, 2016. Approximately 300 Airmen returned from a six-month deployment to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Destinee Dougherty)

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Airmen return from AOR

Team Shaw family members await the return of deployed 20th Fighter Wing Airmen at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., April 13, 2016. Approximately 300 Airmen deployed for six months to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jensen Stidham)

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Airmen return from AOR

A U.S. Airman assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing holds his child for the first time after returning from a deployment to Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., April 13, 2016. Approximately 300 Airmen deployed for six months to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jensen Stidham)

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Airmen return from AOR

A U.S. Airman assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing kisses his significant other after returning home from a deployment at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., April 13, 2016. Approximately 300 Airmen returned from a six month deployment to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Maldonado)

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Airmen return from AOR

A U.S. Airman assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing is embraced by his daughter after returning to Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., April 13, 2016. Approximately 300 Airmen deployed for six months to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jensen Stidham) an Jensen Stidham)

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Airmen return from AOR

A U.S. Airman assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing is embraced by his daughter after returning to Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., April 13, 2016. Approximately 300 Airmen deployed for six months to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jensen Stidham)

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Airmen return from AOR

Published April 13, 2016
By Senior Airman Jensen Stidham
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Airmen assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing returned from a deployment here, April 10, 12 and 13.

Early Wednesday morning, Team Shaw members gathered in hangar 1200 to watch returning Airmen deplane.

“Watching Airmen and families reunite after several months of serving their country is an amazing thing to witness,” said Col. Douglas Thies, 20th Operations Group commander.

Approximately 300 Airmen deployed to the United States Central Command area of responsibility for six months.

“20th FW Airmen are expected to be world-wide deployable and ready-to-go at a moment’s notice to meet the needs of the Air Force, combatant commanders and our nation,” said Thies. “Without the constant pursuit of excellence and hard work on behalf of each and every one of them, along with the love and support of their families, we could not provide combat-ready airpower.”

Sunday afternoon several F-16CM Fighting Falcons assigned to the 55th Fighter Squadron returned from the CENTCOM AOR.

“During deployed operations, our Airmen are ‘first-in….last-out,’” said Thies, “they accomplished their mission with valor and honor, and they brought everyone home. It’s a great day for the 20th Fighter Wing.”

The 20th FW’s mission is to provide combat-ready airpower and Airmen to meet any challenge, anytime, anywhere.