Air Guardsmen return home from Southwest Asia

Photo essay by Master Sgt. Phil Speck, 123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

A Kentucky Air National Guard member is welcomed home by loved ones Sept. 11, 2012 after his deployment to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Kentucky Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Several Kentucky Air National Guardsmen with the 123rd Airlift Wing returned home Sept. 11, 2012, after the unit’s six-month deployment to Southwest Asia.  The 21 members were primarily aircraft operators and maintainers as part of an air expeditionary force supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They have been overseas for two months. The returning airmen were replaced by a second rotation of Kentucky Air Guardsmen who are expected to stay in Southwest Asia until mid-December.

Kentucky Air National Guard Col. Greg Nelson, 123rd Airlift Wing Commander, welcomes home Kentucky Air Guard members Sept. 11, 2012 after their deployment to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Kentucky Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)

A Kentucky Air National Guard member is welcomed home by loved ones Sept. 11, 2012 after his deployment to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Kentucky Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)

A Kentucky Air National Guard member is welcomed home by a loved one Sept. 11, 2012 after his deployment to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Kentucky Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)

Kentucky’s Assistant Adjutant General for Air Brig. Gen. Mark Kraus welcomes home Kentucky Air Guard members Sept. 11, 2012 after their deployment to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Kentucky Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)