606th ACS returns home from deployment

by Senior Airman Dylan Nuckolls
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

4/20/2015 - SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Family members, coworkers and loved ones welcomed home more than 80 U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 606th Air Control Squadron who just returned from deployment April 17, 2015, at their squadron.

The squadron served in Southwest Asia in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Inherent Resolve, Resolute Support, Freedom's Sentinel, and the combined defense of the Arabian Gulf.

"Our members performed exceptionally," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Robert Long, 606th ACS commander. "Whether it was standing up brand new communication nodes from scratch or completely revamping theater operating procedures ... they hit the nail on the head every time. I could not be more proud of their accomplishments."

A large portion of the 606th ACS provided command and control battle management for all of
Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and the Arabian Gulf, covering more than 800,000 square miles of airspace, Long said.

"It's great to have our Airmen back," said U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Jason Boster, 606th ACS communication maintenance superintendent. "They have been gone for six long months, and we are happy to have them back."

The squadron, now fully manned at home, will start preparing for the next set of items on the list, starting with exercises, equipment upgrades and the relocation to Aviano Air Base, Italy, Long said.

"To have everyone home safely, not only reunites families but it also reunites our capability as a unit," Long said. "There are a lot of changes on the horizon for us as well and we are eager to address them head-on with our full team intact."