Operation Iraqi Freedom HomecomingFlag Waving

Maj. Gary Gomez and Staff Sgt. Valarie McLellan wave the American flag in celebration of the 908th Airlift Wing Reserve's return home. Maj. Gomez, C-130 pilot and aircraft commander, and Staff Sgt. McLellan, a life support technician, are among the last of the air crews, air craft and maintenance personnel returning home from South West Asia where they have been supporting both Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. The airmen returned to Maxwell at 1:30 local time on Sep 9, 2005. The Montgomery, Ala.- based Air Force Reserve unit is nearing the end of a two-year activation that began in late-November 2003 supporting the Global War on Terrorism. At one point more than 400 of the units Reservists (about one-third of the 908th's total membership) were serving at stateside and overseas locations, supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Most deployments consisted primarily of maintenance and flying operations personnel; however, unit reservists from virtually all specialties including security forces, medical, services, transportation, and aerial port personnel have served as well. Photo by Jeff Melvin, 908AW Public Affairs