Oklahoma Air National Guard Members Welcomed Home In Tulsa

It was a happy homecoming for hundreds of Oklahoma families as 250 National Guard airmen are back from a three-month deployment.

The airmen are members of the 125th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, which is part of the 138th Fighter Winger stationed at Tulsa International Airport. They returned from a deployment to Japan where they supported the U.S. Pacific Command Theater Security Package.

There are always some unknowns that worry family members back home, but at least, this time, their loved ones weren't headed into a war.

The 125th Fighter Squadron carried out the first ever deployment of Oklahoma's air power into the pacific.

According to a news release from the Oklahoma National Guard, the U.S. Air Force routinely deploys force packages of fighters throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region to Guam, Japan and the Republic of Korea to help maintain a deterrent against threats to regional security and stability.

Monday, 255 members of Tulsa's Air National Guard were delivered back home and hundreds of family members lined up ready to see them. They all cheered when the door opened and the unit's commander stepped off the plane.

They've been waiting since October; and for Melissa Montgomery, it was the first deployment since the children arrived.

10/8/2015: Related Story: 200 Oklahoma Air National Guardsmen Deploy From Tulsa To Japan

“I have a new respect for single parents and the military families who do this a lot more than I do,” she said.

Almost all of the families and airmen have been deployed overseas, but this was shorter and not into conflict. For the families, that was a big difference.

Military spouse, Kristina Hempy said, “We knew he was going to be safe this time. We weren't worried about a phone call in the middle of the night. It was easier this time.”

“This one was a little more laid back - not into Iraq or Afghanistan - more a training environment you could say,” said MSGT Matthew Edwards.

The airmen were able to finish up the paperwork on the long flight home from Japan - with a stopover in Alaska – so, within a few minutes of landing, they were off on leave.

“It's amazing. Feels so good to be back with my kiddos,” Jessica Anderson said.

Mike Montgomery said, “We did a good mission, had a good time, just glad to be home.”

Lieutenant Colonel Matt Bertelli, who led the deployment, said he couldn't be prouder.

“They represented their communities - obviously Tulsa, the state, the nation - they did a wonderful job,” he said.

The airmen will have a couple of weeks leave and, though no new deployments have been announced, they're routine for the Oklahoma Air Guard. What made this one unusual was the destination to the Far East instead of the Middle East.

Movement of U.S. Air Force TSPs into the region has been a routine part of U.S. Pacific Command's force posture since March 2004.

This TSP demonstrates the continuing U.S. commitment to stability and security in the region and shows our commitment to the U.S.-Japan alliance and the defense of Japan.