729th HOME AT HILL
The airmen of the 729th Air Control Squadron spent their tour in Iraq inside closet-sized metal boxes, staring at computer screens, trying to make sense of thousands upon thousands of blips, dots and numbers. Trying to keep order in the skies above one of the most disorderly places in the world.
They returned to Hill Air Force Base early Thursday morning and began the process of returning order to their lives.
The unit of about 150 airmen departed in September for Iraq, where it was stationed at Balad Air Base -- a 20-minute helicopter ride north from Baghdad.
While in Iraq, the "Angry Warriors" provided ground-based air control to coalition aircraft conducting flight operations over Iraq and relayed command-and-control information between coalition aircraft and the Combined Air and Space Operations Center.
The squadron helped maintain control of air traffic during two major elections. During their tour, the 729th's airmen also supported two national elections.
Many of the airmen had been deployed to Iraq before, during the early months of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Among those now back home: Monroe Lewis (see "BIG MOE'S WAR," Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2005).
In Balad, Moe shared with us the story of his 6-year-old daughter's plea for him to stay home on the day he shipped out.
Here's hoping had a nice reunion with her dad. And won't ever have to beg him to stay home again.
They returned to Hill Air Force Base early Thursday morning and began the process of returning order to their lives.
The unit of about 150 airmen departed in September for Iraq, where it was stationed at Balad Air Base -- a 20-minute helicopter ride north from Baghdad.
While in Iraq, the "Angry Warriors" provided ground-based air control to coalition aircraft conducting flight operations over Iraq and relayed command-and-control information between coalition aircraft and the Combined Air and Space Operations Center.
The squadron helped maintain control of air traffic during two major elections. During their tour, the 729th's airmen also supported two national elections.
Many of the airmen had been deployed to Iraq before, during the early months of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Among those now back home: Monroe Lewis (see "BIG MOE'S WAR," Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2005).
In Balad, Moe shared with us the story of his 6-year-old daughter's plea for him to stay home on the day he shipped out.
Here's hoping had a nice reunion with her dad. And won't ever have to beg him to stay home again.
4:04 PM
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