350 airmen return to Ellsworth after six-month deployment

Emotions were running high late on Tuesday night as families and friends welcomed back 350 airmen from a six-month deployment in Southwest Asia.

Some said the minutes felt like hours as they stood at the hanger, keeping an eye on the sky for the plane bringing their loved ones home.

As the plane landed and these brave men and women stepped off, spouses, kids and friends ran to their sides and there was no shortage of tears and smiles.

These airmen return having supported Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and Operation Inherent Resolve in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

Aircrews provided critical air presence, precision strike, and surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities to support military objectives in the region.