Dobbins Airmen Return Home

by Senior Airman Elizabeth Gaston, 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs,

Ten members of the 94th Airlift Wing Maintenance Group and the 80th Aerial Port Squadron, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, returned home May 17 after a 6-month deployment to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The returning Airmen performed vehicle maintenance and assured the safe and timely delivery of supplies to the region.

"Think about the sacrifice these Airmen have made," said Col. Marshall S. Irvin Jr., 94th Mission Support Group commander. "It was important for the country, and will go down in annuls of history."

Family members, senior staff and members of the Airmen and Family Readiness Office were present to welcome the Airmen home and brief them on programs such as the Yellow Ribbon Program and TRICARE plans.

Is it important for returning Airmen to be aware of and take advantage of the TRICARE plans available to them and their families, said Amador Rodriguez Jr,. Georgia National Guard health benefits advisor. Some plans are available at no cost to the returning Airman.

The base has been so helpful, said Denise Howard, wife of Tech. Sgt. Dallas Howard. Family readiness has called on all the holidays and given us plenty of information on how to deal with the deployment.

"Take some time to get re-acclimated to your families," said Irving. "Let them get re-acclimated to you. You received a briefing on yellow ribbon. This program is good for you and for your family. I highly encourage you to go to yellow ribbon."

The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program is a Department of Defense-wide effort to promote the well-being of Reserve members, their families and communities, by connecting them with resources throughout the deployment cycle.

Reintegration during post-deployment is a critical time for members of the Reserve, as they often live far from military installations and members of their units. For more information on the Yellow Ribbon Program, please visit http://www.yellowribbon.mil/. For more information on TRICARE, please call 678-569-5174.