Deployed 961st AACS service members return to Kadena

by Senior Airman Maeson L. Elleman
18th Wing Public Affairs

7/23/2013 - KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Twenty-four service members assigned to the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron returned to home station late July 19 after being deployed to Southwest Asia for roughly 90 days.

Kristen Burciaga, wife of returning 1st Lt. Jesus Burciaga, said she's just happy to see her husband again.

"I'm very, very excited to see him," Kristen said. "I'm looking forward to just hanging out with him."

Lt. Col. Trey Coleman, 961st AACS commander, said the crew's return is not only important to awaiting family members - it's vital to the 961st team and overall mission at the 18th Wing and in the Pacific theater.

"We are incredibly happy to have them back," Coleman said. "Not only are they our family, they also constitute a significant portion of our combat capability in the Pacific."

The unit is responsible for air battle management, which gives U.S. and allied forces greater visibility of the battlefield from the sky.

While deployed, the service members flew 24 combat missions totaling 293 flight hours, during which time they controlled 253 aircraft in 136 restricted operating zones in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and the Joint Defense of the Arabian Gulf.

"The mission of the 961st AACS is to provide air battle management in the Pacific area of responsibility," Coleman said. "(The team is) a big piece of our combat capability."

Currently the 961st does not have another crew slated to deploy back to Southwest Asia.