Connecticut Airmen Return Home from Afghanistan

One of two Connecticut Army National Guard CH-47 Chinooks lands at a general aviation facility in Baltimore to pick up approximately 25 Connecticut Air National Guardsmen with the 103rd Security Forces Squadron at Bradley Air National Guard Base, East Granby, Conn., as they return home from Afghanistan Jan. 30, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Joshua Mead)

C-27J visits Bradley Air National Guard Base

A load master in the Italian Air Force opens the rear hatch of a C-27J Spartan while flying over New England on Oct. 22, 2010. The Load Master opens the hatch during a familiarization tour for the Connecticut Guardsmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emmanuel Santiago/Released)

C-27J visits Bradley Air National Guard Base

Air National Guardsmen, assigned to the 103rd Airlift Wing, explore the C-27J Spartan upon its visit to Bradley Air National Guard Base, East Granby, Conn., Oct. 22, 2010. The familiarization tour was an opportunity for Connecticut Airman to see and fly on the aircraft that will become the future. (U.S. Air force photo by Airman 1st Class Emmanuel Santiago/Released)

Back seat driver

Capt. Garrett Caponetti takes in the view from the rear of the C-27J Spartan during a familiarization flight over New England Friday, Oct. 22, 2010. Capt. Caponetti is currently assigned to the 118th Airlift Squadron, Bradley Air National Guard Base in East Granby, Conn. and was among the first of the Flying Yankees to fly the new light cargo aircraft that visited the base to give members there a glimpse of their future mission.

Flying Yankee's first look at the C-27J Spartan

Maj. Christopher Papa studies the controls of the C-27J Spartan during a familiarization flight over New England Friday, Oct. 22, 2010. Maj. Papa is currently assigned to the 118th Airlift Squadron, Bradley Air National Guard Base in East Granby, Conn. and was among the first of the Flying Yankees to fly the new light cargo aircraft that visited the base to give members there a glimpse of their future mission.

Flying Yankees with the C-27J Spartan

Capt. David Grant (left), Maj. Christopher Papa (center) and Capt. Garrett Caponetti (right) pose for a photo on the ramp at Bradley Air National Guard Base, East Granby, Conn., Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2010. The pilots were the first Airmen of the 118th Airlift Squadron to fly the C-27J Spartan during a familiarization tour.