Families Welcome Tulsa's 138th Fighter Wing Home From Iraq

Members of Oklahoma's 138th Fighter Wing had a happy homecoming Friday. Hundreds of family members, including a lot of little children, lined up to welcome home their loved ones.

The airmen are based at the Tulsa Air National Guard base at Tulsa International Airport.  They returned home following their deployment to Iraq as part of Operation New Dawn.

I was there for the homecoming, and it is always so touching when those families are reunited.

To make it even better, it's just in time for Thanksgiving.

It's windy and cold, but that doesn't matter for all the people waiting for about 100 members of the 138th Fighter Wing that are coming home. Their hearts are warm and bursting with pride.

"My heart beats faster every minute," said military wife Megan Rice. "I'm just really excited. Ready to see my husband."

Military moms are also ready for the moment.

"Excitement. I'm ready. So ready," said Kayla Layden, mother of a returning airman.

And children are ready too. Reagan Moehle's shirt says it all: "Out of my way, I'm here to pick up my Daddy!"

Older brothers Jacob and Christian are too.

"Every day it's been, ‘is it today, is it today, is it today,' so they're very excited," said Rachel Moehle, military wife.

Everyone is excited the 138th is returning.

Kayla Layden is waiting on her son Scott.

"He left on his birthday, and I'm ready to have him home," she said.

Megan Rice is waiting on her husband Julius.

"I just want to hug him. I just want to hold him and know he's here," she said.

And Reagan Moehle and her big brothers are ready to see their dad.

"She just thinks he lives in the phone," Reagan's mother, Rachel, said.

Members of the 138th Fighter Wing are returning from Iraq where they've provided air support for the U.S. draw down of forces.

It's hard to be patient, when you can't wait to see someone you love. Finally they get off the plane and on the ground back home.

Craig Day, News On 6: "Timing couldn't be better before Thanksgiving."
Master Sergeant James Holly, 138th Fighter Wing: "No, it's awesome. So I'm very happy to be home."

Little Reagan - just like everyone else waving flags and holding banners - is looking, and Daddy is finally home.

Daddy for real.

"It's always great. This is the third time I've done it, and I don't know if it ever gets any easier, but it's sure a thrill to be home," said her father, Staff Sergeant Ryan Moehle.

Another 100 or so members of the 138th Fighter Wing will return home over the next week.