Texas Reservists return from Saudi Arabia

by Master Sgt. Julie Briden-Garcia
301st Fighter Wing

10/25/2012 - NAVAL AIR STATION JOINT RESERVE BASE FORT WORTH, Texas -- He was the strong and silent type. He never said a word. As he stepped off the plane, his eyes searched for his wife and children, spotting them waiting at the bottom of the stairs. He walked unwaveringly to greet them after being deployed for six months. Kneeling down, Staff Sgt. Barry Tate, 610th Security Forces Squadron member, scooped up his daughter in one arm and hugged his son tightly in the other ... never saying a word, but all the time, fighting back the tears that now streamed down his face.

More than 50 deployed members from the 301st Security Forces Squadron, part of the 301st Fighter Wing, and 610th Security Forces Squadron, here, returned from a six-month deployment in Saudi Arabia on Oct. 25. These men and women were responsible for conducting base security operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

"This is really nice. I'm just glad to be back home and not having to deal with all that dust," said one Airman between hugs.

There were more than 100 family members and friends who arrived at the base in the dark hours Thursday morning. A buzz of excitement filled the air as they waited to greet their loved ones and comrade-in-arms -- one of those was Maj. Jason Jewert, 301st Security Forces Squadron commander.

"As always, the men and women of the 301st SFS did a great job while deployed. They make me proud of the privilege to work with such a patriotic group of Airman."

Putting a homecoming reception together has many pieces to the puzzle. One of those pieces is the Key Spouses program, a volunteer-based program giving family members who are left behind a friendly voice to communicate with.

"Some of us have walked in their shoes and understand the pain of separation," said Dori Miller, 301st Fighter Wing Key Spouses program volunteer, "and it's a joy to watch these families reunite after so many months apart.

"As Key Spouses, we have the privilege of contacting the deployer's families throughout their separation to offer love and support. We call mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, fiancés and spouses. 'Family', to us, means who you carry in your heart, not just who is listed in DEERs (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System)."

With hugs and high-fives completed, security forces and family members headed to the hangar to pick up their bags and start some well deserved down time before hitting the grindstone once more.