317th AG made whole again

by Senior Airman Shannon Hall
7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

2/19/2015 - DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- More than 35 Dyess Airmen from the 317th Airlift Group and 7th Bomb Wing returned home from a deployment in support of Operation United Assistance Feb. 4, 2015.

The Airmen deployed to Dakar, Senegal, for three months, where they moved supplies, medical equipment and personnel as part of a comprehensive effort led by the U.S. Agency for International Development to respond to and contain the outbreak of the Ebola virus in West Africa.

"I'm super proud of our team," said Lt. Col. Michael Brock, 39th Airlift Squadron commander. "We worked with Airmen from McChord, Grand Forks and Travis, and everyone came together as a team to work effectively. We were able to bring everyone home safely."

Some significant accomplishments include the transportation of more than 2 million pounds of cargo, including medical supplies and logistics equipment for the USAID, the movement of 4,000 boxes of personal protective equipment from Taiwan to Liberia and the supplying of food, equipment and personnel to support the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division.

The return of these Airmen marks the first time since September 2013 that the entire 317th AG has been at home station together.

"This time last year we were in Afghanistan getting ready to come home," Brock said. "It feels good to have everyone back with family and to come home to a community like Abilene that supports what we do."

During the last year, the 317th AG has supported operational taskings to U.S. Central Command, U.S. Africa Command , U.S. Air Forces in Europe as well as taskings in U.S. South, North and Pacific Command from home station.

"The defining moment is coming back home," said Maj. William Soto, 317th Operations Support Squadron director of operations, upon returning home from Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. "Knowing we completed the mission well and made an impact is a huge fulfillment."

Although everyone is back home safely and enjoying time with family and friends, the group's mission is not over. The 317th AG will continue training to ensure they are prepared to mobilize and employ the C-130J for tactical airlift operations, saving lives and sustaining our nation's operations.