But Elements Remain In Middle East

After dropping 3.2 million pounds of explosives and 9 million leaflets during 120 combat sorties, more than 1,000 airmen are packing up and going home from their undisclosed forward-operating location.

The redeployment of the 457th Air Expeditionary Group began April 24 with approximately a dozen B-52 Stratofortress bombers leaving for Minot Air Force Base (ND).  The remaining airmen are closing up shop, preparing for the effort of getting people and equipment home.

The Aircraft Are Gone, But The Job Goes On

"Our job here isn't finished even after the planes have left," said 1st Lt. Francisco Vega, the 457th AEG's munitions flight commander deployed from Minot.  "We are ensuring we have accountability of all assets being sent back, because our attention to detail of munitions doesn't end after the last expenditure."

After the bulk of the airmen leave, a small group of services, communications and transportation troops will remain to do the final contingency wrap-up.

"The communications squadron has to close down all of the deployed computers, ensure all computer equipment is accounted for and put everything into storage," said Airman 1st Class Vashti Pearson, the 57th AEG's communications squadron network administration technician deployed from Barksdale AFB (LA).  "In addition, the infrastructure needs to be removed. This includes local area network connections, routers and cabling associated with all of the computers on the base."

"As the base enters its redeployment phase, services will play several roles that will be vital to this base being prepared for future operations, as well as taking care of the troops right up to the moment they leave," said 1st Lt. Chris Radziewiez, 457th AEG services flight commander deployed from Minot.  "Once the airmen leave, the dining hall staff will 'mothball' the facility, the 'portakabins' will have to be cleaned and all the furniture will be palletized and stored."

Radziewiez's team deployed here approximately three weeks before the main deployment, and they will remain here for another three weeks.

Mom, Dad, Your Kids Did Great

During Operation Iraqi Freedom, B-52s flew airborne alert, strategic attack, interdiction and psychological operations missions during more than 1,600 flying hours.  They released more than 2,700 individual weapons and dropped 70 percent of all leaflets for the operation, one of the largest in military history.

In addition, the Litening II pod was used for the first time in combat on a B-52 here.  The pod allows the bomber to pick and chose targets in the battlefield, increasing the capability and effectiveness of the aircraft and the munitions.

"All of the parents back there should be proud of their sons and daughters for the job they did," said Col. Dan Charchian, 457th AEG commander.  "It was truly an outstanding effort."

ANN extends a special thanks to Staff Sgt. Kristina Barrett, 457th Air Expeditionary Group, Public Affairs

FMI: www.defenselink.mil