Hill Airmen return from F-16 deployment in Afghanistan

Master Sgt. Chris Aguilar, 421st Fighter Squadron, is welcomed home by his family – spouse Natilie and children Eric, Evan, Elise and Emily – at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, May 10th, 2016. Aguilar arrived home after completing a nearly 8-month deployment supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel in Afghanistan. While deployed, the 421st Fighter Squadron flew more than 2,800 sorties and spent more than 10,000 hours in the skies, dropping more than 100 guided bombs, primarily in support of coalition troops on the ground. As the only dedicated fighter unit in Afghanistan, the 421st Fighter Squadron provided 24/7 air support to coalition forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Todd Cromar)

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Hill Airmen return from F-16 deployment in Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Jacob Awiszus, 421st Fighter Squadron, is welcomed home May 10 at Hill Air Force Base by Arron and Hugh Trout. Awiszus spent nearly eight months supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Todd Cromar)

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Hill Airmen return from F-16 deployment in Afghanistan

Airmen from the 388th Fighter Wing are welcomed home May 10 at Hill Air Force Base after spending the past eight months deployed in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. As the 388th Fighter Wing transitions to the F-35 Lightning II aircraft, it’s likely this is the final combat operation for Hill’s F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft after nearly 40 years of providing air superiority for U.S. forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Todd Cromar)

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Hill Airmen return from F-16 deployment in Afghanistan

Maj. Geffrey Gebhardt, an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft pilot assigned to the 421st Fighter Squadron, greets his son Grayson May 4 at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Gebhardt returned to the base after a nearly 8-mnth deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. While deployed, the 421st Fighter Squadron flew more than 2,800 sorties and spent more than 10,000 hours in the skies, dropping more than 100 guided bombs, primarily in support of coalition troops on the ground. As the only dedicated fighter unit in Afghanistan, the 421st Fighter Squadron provided 24/7 air support to coalition forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw)

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Hill Airmen return from F-16 deployment in Afghanistan

Published May 10, 2016
By 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Nearly 300 active duty and Reserve Airmen assigned to the 421st Fighter Squadron, known as the Black Widows, returned here Tuesday following a nearly eight-month deployment to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.

The 421st FS spent more than 10,000 hours in the skies, flying 2,800 sorties and dropping more than 100 guided bombs in support of coalition troops on the ground as part of Operation Freedom's Sentinel and NATO's Resolute Support mission, according to Lt. Col. Mike, commander of the 421st FS.

"As the only dedicated fighter unit in Afghanistan, we provided 24/7 close air support across the entire country," Mike said. "There are still quite a few Americans on the ground there, so we liked to think of ourselves as their guardian angels."

This likely marks the final F-16 deployment from Hill as the base's fighter wings transition to the F-35, the Air Force's newest fighter aircraft. The 388th and 419th Fighter Wings were the first active duty and Reserve units to begin flying operational F-16 missions in 1979 and 1983, respectively.

Hundreds of family members and community supporters lined up outside a maintenance hangar, clapping and cheering as they greeted the returning Airmen.

"These families are the real heroes," Mike said. "You can't even say how good it makes you feel to see the support from the base and local community."

As Tech. Sgt. Cliff embraced his four-year-old daughter, the 419th FW reservist and avionics mechanic said it was great to have another successful deployment behind him.

Cliff took a military leave of absence from his civilian career for the deployment and has deployed to Afghanistan twice previously.

"There's nothing better than coming home," he said.