News>Last Airmen out of Iraq arrive home for Christmas
Photos
Connor Vilpors waits to greet his father Dec. 20, 2011, at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Baltimore, Md. Connor's father, Lt. Col. Steven Vilpors, was deployed to Iraq and was one of the last Airmen to return home from supporting the completed Operation New Dawn. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Bennie Davis)
An Airman returning from Iraq greets his wife Dec. 20, 2011, at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Baltimore, Md. More than 200 Airmen were on the flight that carried some of the last Airmen to return from Iraq. The Airmen arrived home in time for Christmas as stated by the president. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Bennie Davis)
Chief Master Sgt. Ruthelma Pitts returns from a deployment to Iraq and is greeted by her family and community members Dec. 20, 2011 at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Baltimore, Md. Pitts was one of more than 200 Airmen who were the last to leave Iraq. Pitts is assigned to the Air National Guard 113th Wing in the District of Columbia. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Bennie Davis)
by Tech. Sgt. Mareshah Haynes
Defense Media Activity
12/20/2011 - BALTIMORE (AFNS) -- America welcomed home from Iraq more than 200 of her Air Force sons and daughters Dec. 20 at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
The Airmen were the last of the Air Force contingent in Iraq and were home in time for the winter holidays as stated by the president.
Among the senior Air Force leaders on hand to celebrate the return of Airmen from Iraq and welcome them was Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton, the assistant vice chief of staff of the Air Force.
"We've been a part of a terrific joint team," Newton said. "We've made great strides in lifting up the Iraqi people so that they can now support and defend their nation, and now they can look forward to enjoying the freedoms they richly deserve. Our United States Air Force has made great contributions toward making that happen. It's been a worthy cause and it's great to bring them home now."
Tech. Sgt. Jason Harper, an airfield manager assigned to Yokota Air Base, Japan, was deployed to Sather Air Base and managed the airfield at Baghdad International Airport along with supporting Iraqi civilian air traffic control functions.
"It was a good feeling knowing we have given them all the tools they need to succeed," Taylor said of assisting the Iraqi military. "It was a very unique experience - something that I don't think I'll ever get the opportunity to do again - to go into Operation New Dawn and see the mission change into what it is now. I thoroughly enjoyed it. "
Maj. Gen. Anthony Rock, the director of Iraqi Training and Advisory Mission - Air Force, U.S. Forces - Iraq, U.S. Central Command, also returned home on the flight with Airmen who were under his command in Iraq.
"This represents the final chapter in Operation New Dawn, but I think the important thing to remember is this is not just the end of eight years of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn," Rock said. "This is the end of 21 years of Air Force and U.S. military involvement in and around Iraq."
A crowd of family members, USO volunteers, co-workers and well-wishers greeted the Airmen as they made their way through customs and into the lobby of the airport.
"It just makes your heart sore," Rock said of the outpouring of support from the community. "It really makes it all worthwhile."
The return home was the perfect Christmas present for the returning Airmen this holiday season, some after being away from their loved ones for up to a year.
Staff Sgt. Jerry Whitehurst was one of those eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Airmen at the airport. Whitehurst, who is stationed at Dover Air Force Base, Del., was serving in South Korea five of the six months his wife, Lt. Col. Pamela Howard-Whitehurst, who is assigned to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., was deployed to Iraq. Whitehurst arrived back in the U.S. just two days before his wife.
While the couple was away from home serving their country, their two children stayed in Maryland and were cared for by an aunt and their nanny.
"This would've been our first missed Christmas, but we're flexible," Whitehurst said. "We're military, so we adapt easily and the kids would've been OK with it."
Whitehurst said his children were hoping their mother would be home in time to celebrate with them, but they weren't sure. He said he didn't tell the children the day their mother was arriving, and they plan to pick them up from their piano lessons after school to surprise them.
"They're going to go crazy," Whitehurst said. "I Skyped them every day, sometimes even two times a day while I was gone, but Mommy wasn't able to do that, so they miss her a lot more."
Whitehurst said there was one more gift his family received through his wife being deployed in support of the newly completed Operation New Dawn.
"We realized that life is a lot shorter than most people think, so we're planning a lot more vacations and spending more time together," he said. "We have to enjoy each other while we can."
Comments
1/5/2012 12:07:22 AM ET Maybe the story didnt make it clear enough but surely you must know the return of the airmen in the story marks the end of AF led involvement in Operation New Dawn. Those airmen still in Iraq are there in support of a different operation now.
Jessica M., Richmond VA
12/30/2011 1:30:20 AM ET Why does PA not live by the core value of Integrity First? I and several other Airmen are still in Iraq and Christmas has passed. We will be here as part of the Office of Security Cooperation - Iraq until the end of our 365-day ITDYs. This needs to be dealt with by AF leadership as any other violation of our core values.
Airman, Iraq
12/29/2011 6:28:40 AM ET Just a reminder, all Airmen are not out of Iraq--you HAF PA folks keep screwing this one up. Issue a correction. Standing by this headline just makes you look partisan and stupid. Even Al Qaeda and Iran know we're here.
Airman in Iraq, Baghdad Iraq
12/23/2011 1:55:08 AM ET Welcome Home to All, Also to our brothers and sisters in the Guam Air National Guard's 254 SFS making it home just in time for an Island Christmas.
MSgt Jimmy Martin, 254 SFS Guam ANG
12/21/2011 9:07:18 PM ET Welcome home to all the troops. also, your photo caption is worng pic number 2 is of Connor Vilpors spelled with a V and his Dad Lt Col Steve Vilpors also spelled with a V. Please fix it.
steven schneider, parkland colorado
12/21/2011 10:26:51 AM ET I hate to see these articles about all Airmen, Soldiers, Marines are home. I have a friend still on the ground there and not knowing how much longer he will be there. Just more political BS to make people feel good for the holidays. Tell the truth.
Andy D, Virginia
12/21/2011 8:55:43 AM ET Welcome Home. by the way, caption on photo 2 is incorrect. last name is Vilpors not dilpors. with a V.
