News Search

317th AG members return from another deployment

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Carolyn Viss
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Approximately 200 members of the 39th Airlift Squadron and 317th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron returned from Southwest Asia Oct. 20, just a week after the 40th Airlift Squadron deployed 200 Airmen to the area of responsibility. 

The 39th AS and 317th AMXS are part of the 317th Airlift Group, whose C-130 aircraft deliver cargo and troops to the areas of responsibility in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and the Horn of Africa. The 39th AS and 40th AS and their maintenance units alternate deployment rotations, keeping operations working fighting the Global War on Terror 365 days per year. 

"This was my first real deployment," said Maj. Paul Baldwin, 39th Airlift Squadron C-130 navigator and husband and father of three. "It was a long four months." 

Stateside, the unit trains for airdrop and personnel/cargo transportation, he said - but overseas, he gets to see the results of all the training when he actually flies the missions, directly impacting U.S. troops and flying humanitarian missions in the Horn of Africa. 

His wife, Michelle, was home taking care of their 8- and 6-year-old sons, Tyler and Conner, and 2-year-old daughter, Sydney. 

"We definitely felt incomplete without him," she said. "We were both nervous and excited to see him home safely." 

"I'm so happy," Connor said. "I was just sitting there...waiting for him...and then he came." 

Col. Kevin Jackson, 317th Airlift Group commander, said he was happy to see the unit back safely, and that the deployment went well. 

"They are truly a group of high-performing, self-motivated, mission-hacking professionals," he said. When it comes to flying and fixing aircraft that are more than 30 years old, they're "second to none," he said. 

Although the colonel will relocate to Nellis AFB, Nev., in January, his time at Dyess has been full of proud moments, as the fightin' 317th Airlift Group has maintained 'award-winning status' ... aside from being Air Mobility Command's busiest combat airlift unit. 

"I couldn't be happier with this unit," Colonel Jackson said. "They've always let their actions do the talking - there are no 'posers' in this group."