News

Ramstein welcomes back 76 AS deployers

April 6, 2017
by Airman 1st Class Savannah L. Waters
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Maj. Jeffrey Aubry, 76th Airlift Squadron pilot, is welcomed home from a six-month deployment with flowers April 1 on Ramstein. While deployed, the 76 AS served as the official transportation for the commander of Resolute Support Mission, U.S. Army Gen. John W. Nicholson Jr. Resolute Support Mission is a NATO-led train, advise, and assist mission for the Afghan security forces, consisting of more than 13,000 military service members. — Photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua Magbanua

Six months can go by in the blink of an eye, but for some, it can feel like six years since they’ve said goodbye to someone they love.

As the plane landed, excitement filled the air as family and friends gathered on the tarmac for the return of 10 76th Airlift Squadron members, one 86th Operations Support Squadron member, and four contract maintenance personnel April 1 on Ramstein.

Coming back from a six- month deployment at Kabul Air Field, Afghanistan, this C-20H modified Gulfstream IV aircrew was the only flying squadron in the 86th Operations Group that was deployed to a combat area of responsibility.

Maj. Anthony Langford, 76th Airlift Squadron pilot, poses for a photo with his son after returning from a deployment April 1 on Ramstein. Consisting of more than 13,000 military service members, their mission directly impacted Operation Resolute Support, a NATO-led train, advise, and assist mission for the Afghan security forces. — Photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua Magbanua

While deployed, the 76 AS served as the official transportation for the commander of Resolute Support Mission, U.S. Army Gen. John W. Nicholson, Jr.

Resolute Support Mission is a NATO-led train, advise, and assist mission for the Afghan security forces, consisting of more than 13,000 military service members.

“This was my first deployment with the 76 AS and it’s actually been one of the most rewarding deployments that I’ve ever been on in my Air Force career,” said Master Sgt. Fransworth Murraine, 76 AS flight engineer.

The 76 AS provides time-critical airlift support to the mission in Afghanistan by facilitating intra-theater and inter-theater airlift for the commander as he continues to further the Afghan security transition.

“We were taking him [Gen. Nicholson] around Afghanistan, and he’s going through making sure all of his people are taken care of, taking care of fallen soldiers and ensuring units are prepped and poised to get the mission accomplished,” said Maj. Jeffrey Aubry, 76 AS pilot.

The mission is key to ensuring the Afghan government continues to develop the tools and capabilities to ensure the safety and security of Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Ashleen Martinez, 76th Airlift Squadron evaluator flight attendant, hugs a friend after returning from a deployment April 1 on Ramstein. The 76 AS and other services that support the commander of Operation Resolute Support provide time-critical airlift support to the mission in Afghanistan by facilitating intra-theater and inter-theater airlift for the commander as he continues to further the Afghan security transition. — Photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua Magbanua

“With the reliability of the C-20, we had a 100 percent mission success rate,” said Aubry.

Great morale and leadership can contribute to overall mission success, said Aubry.

“The leadership we had out there and the drive that he pushed to all the members made us come back from this deployment better off than when we left,” Aubry said. “To me, that is what defines success.”

Although members of the 76 AS are happy to be a part of the mission, they are also grateful to be back and surrounded by loved ones.

“There’s no place like home and being with family…” Murraine said.

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