With open arms
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on April 12, 2018 5:50 AM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Kelly Hammerbeck adjusts her daughter Harper's, 4, hearing protection Wednesday as they wait for Maj. Eric Hammerbeck to return home from a six-month deployment with a group of other pilots. Also pictured is Hattie, 6, holding a sign for her father.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Alicia Bledsoe holds her son Treyson, 1, who is pointing to his father's jet Wednesday at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. Eight jets from the 336th Fighter Squadron returned home after a six-month deployment.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Maj. Eric Hammerbeck's family surrounds him with hugs and smiles on their faces during their reunion Wednesday afternoon. Pictured are his wife, Kelly, and daughters Hattie, 6, and Harper, 4.
Kelly Hammerbeck and her two daughters set out one Hershey's Kiss for each day her husband was deployed overseas.
But the kisses were replaced with a yellow rose Maj. Eric "Torch" Hammerbeck handed his wife as the family was reunited on the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base flight line Wednesday.
"He's our hero," Kelly said. "I'm very proud of him."
Hammerbeck was one of 16 airmen, with the 336th Fighter Squadron Rocketeers, who landed in eight F-15E Strike Eagles Wednesday at about 3:30 p.m.
Waiting for their return were loved ones, with welcome home signs, T-shirts showing their excitement, small American flags and yellow dresses, scarves, pants and shirts. The color yellow, which can be seen on the Strike Eagle tail flash, is the Rocketeers squad color.
As Hattie Hammerbeck, 6, walked across the flight line with her mother and sister, Harper, 4, she said she knew her daddy was out "fighting the bad guys."
"I missed him so, so much," Hattie said.
The return Wednesday was part of several waves of airmen -- nearly 500 from the 336th Fighter Squadron -- who set foot on American soil this week following a six-month deployment to an undisclosed location in southwest Asia.
Close to 200 airmen -- primarily maintainers and support personnel -- returned Monday night, additional troops arrived Tuesday morning and eight more F-15E Strike Eagles are set to return in the coming days, said Maj. Bryant Baum, 336th Fighter Squadron weapons system officer.
Airmen returning to base Wednesday flew eight-and-a-half hours before landing at Seymour Johnson AFB, Baum said.
The 336th Fighter Squadron and supporting units were deployed last year in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S. military intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
"It feels great to be home," said Baum, who returned close to a month ago. "It's great to welcome the other Rockets home as well today."
Baum said airmen remain upbeat in their role in the continued fight for American freedom.
"It feels great for multiple air crew out there, as well as maintainers," Baum said. "This our first, second, third deployment, so it's a continuing cycle.
"When you get back, you take a little rest time and you start preparing for the next challenge in front of us, whether that be TDYs, short-duration train missions or we get another deployment."