554th RHS receives warm welcome after deployment

by Senior Airman Benjamin Wiseman
36th Wing Public Affairs

4/18/2013 - ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  -- Smiling family, friends and coworkers welcomed Airmen of the 554th RED HORSE Squadron upon arrival at Hangar 1 on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, April 16, after a seven-month deployment to Southwest Asia.

One-hundred-eighteen members of the 554th RHS, along with four members of the 36th Wing, conducted construction projects for eight different sites in and around the region.

"While deployed, we provided troop labor construction to the Gulf Coast States, Afghanistan and even the Horn of Africa," said Lt. Col. Christopher Fuller, 554th RHS commander.  "The greatest part about this deployment was the fact that we went as a whole unit to work large construction projects, turn a flat desert into an operational base and start other construction projects for the next cycle, all in our one rotation."

During their deployment, the 554th RHS maintained a heavy workflow as they constructed various large projects.

"We built the second largest project in the history of the theater in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan," said Chief Master Sgt. Brent Sheehan, 554th RHS chief enlisted manager. "We also built four of 11 U.S. Central Command top priorities while deployed."

While the Airmen were deployed, family and friends counted the days until their loved ones were home once again.

"My husband, Tech. Sgt. Troy Woods, left seven months ago and it has been a long time," said Misty Woods, military spouse. "There were those rough days where I had to manage everything, so I am excited that he is finally coming home today."

Family and friends waited anxiously at Hangar 1 for the arrival of the plane. As the aircraft door opened, Airmen raced to the hangar to see their loved ones for the first time since September 2012.

"When I saw Troy get off the plane, I knew I had my best friend back and the family is back together," said Mrs. Woods. "Now he can see the children grow up instead of having to hear about it over the Internet."

With the successful completion of their deployment, members of the 554th RHS will spend time with their families as the next expeditionary RHS takes the reins and continues the mission downrange.