West Virginia airmen return home after Africa deployment

About 120 West Virginia Air National Guard members returned to Charleston after a roughly three-month deployment to the Horn of Africa, reuniting with family and friends.

The tarmac and hangar in Charleston were filled with family and friends as about 120 members of the West Virginia Air National Guard returned from a deployment to the Horn of Africa. The airmen left the day after Thanksgiving and spent roughly three months overseas. Their duties included operating, maintaining and assisting in other missions in the region. The unit used the newer C-130J model aircraft during the rotation. Key details: - About 120 members of the West Virginia Air National Guard returned after a deployment reported as lasting roughly three months. - The unit served in the Horn of Africa and carried out operations, maintenance and mission support. - The deployment began the day after Thanksgiving and took the airmen more than 7,000 miles from home. - The airmen operated using the C-130J transport aircraft during the rotation. - Col. Richard Switzer, wing commander of the 130th Airlift Wing, noted the importance of family and community support as the service members returned. Summary: The return reunited service members and families after a three-month rotation that supported ongoing missions in the Horn of Africa. The airmen will remain at home for at least a few months before the timing of any future deployments is determined.