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Demons return home from Iraqi deployment

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Phillip O. Butterfield
  • 33d Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The 33d Fighter Wing Nomads welcomed home more than 180 Airmen from the 728th Air Control Squadron here after a four-month deployment to Iraq Saturday. 

While deployed supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Demons were at three locations: Kirkuk, Tallil and Balad air bases in Iraq; a majority of the squadron was in place at Balad. The 728th ACS controlled and monitored Iraqi airspace, assisting in providing close air support for troops in conflict and reconnaissance and directing tanker traffic for refueling efforts. 

According to Lt. Col. Frederick DeFranza, 728th ACS commander, the Demons controlled 24,888 aircraft sorties, provided 16,491 hours of data link, controlled 3,934 close air support missions, and supported 9,224 convoy operations. All the while, the squadron endured 148 air base attacks. 

This was the 728th ACS's third deployment to Iraq in support of OIF. The Demons deployed for five months in 2005, and unlike the first tour of duty in Iraq in 2003 in which the squadron had to build tents and eat meals-ready-to-eat, this tour provided more permanent conditions such as concrete-hardened trailers, dorms and dining facilities.
Nevertheless, 728th ACS Airmen are glad to be back. 

"I had an alright time out there," said Tech. Sgt. Jason Libman, 728th ACS security forces instructor. "I'm definitely thrilled to be back." 

For the families left behind, seeing loved ones again after four months makes life easier. 
"It's great to have him back," said Senior Airman Perla Cook, 728th ACS services readiness journeyman and wife of Senior Airman Reginald Cook, 728th ACS weapons director. "Now I get to enjoy my pregnancy with him and I get to relax more." 

The returning Airmen of the 728th ACS will now have to enjoy a reprieve from work in the form of two weeks of rest and recovery to be spent catching up with families and on hobbies. 

"I'm thankful to have all of my Airmen back home safe and sound. I was fortunate to spend four months with incredible Airmen doing extraordinary things and I'm proud to have served with them all," said Colonel DeFranza.