Dyess 39th Airlift Squadron returns home after six-month deployment

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – After more than six months overseas, the 39th Airlift Squadron finally made it home Sunday night to a hero’s welcome at Dyess Air Force Base. Families and friends lined the flight line, signs in hand and emotions running high, as they reunited with their loved ones.

Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Adam, the commander of the 39th Airlift Squadron, expressed his joy at witnessing these reunions, especially considering the challenging wait they had endured.

“They’ve been counting down the days. Every time they got delayed by weather or aircraft maintenance, was another day that they were away from their loved ones. So, tonight is a really special night for both our active-duty members and their families,” Adams said.

Adam has completed three deployments, and each time, the emotional experience remains the same.

“Seeing the kids run it up to hug Dad’s leg. It’s a really, really unique emotion. It’s a really, really unique experience,” Adam said. “There’s a lot of kind of nervous smiles seeing your wife or your husband for the first time after six months. My wife describes it as butterflies in her stomach. Everyone is really excited.”

He said his advice for those reintegrating back into their normal lives is to give each other grace.

“Have a soft heart and give each other grace as you learn to do that again, and then also get away. Go away even just for a night to a hotel or an Airbnb to go reestablish those bonds,” Adam said.

The 39th Airlift Squadron was stationed in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, which spans 21 countries and 4 million square miles, including the Middle East, Central Asia, the Persian Gulf region, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.