Family, fellow Airmen welcome home deployer

  • Published
  • By MSgt. Andrew Biscoe
  • 439th AW Public Affairs
BRADLEY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT --  Through a persistent rain, thick clouds, flight delay and three-day odyssey covering thousands of miles, SMSgt. Michael Barna knew he was finally home.

"This feels fantastic," SMSgt. Barna said, as family and a gaggle of 439th Logistics Readiness Squadron Airmen swarmed him here Dec. 21. A large red, white, and blue banner that read "WELCOME HOME TROOPS" was displayed inside the airline terminal that bustled with holiday travelers and many other arriving service members.

The LRS Airman was one of hundreds of Airmen, Sailors, Marines, and soldiers who not only returned home safely for the holidays, but also were part of 21st century history. SMSgt. Barna assisted in closing down American military operations at Baghdad International Airport Iraq. He reflected on what it felt like for American forces winding operations down in Iraq.

"It felt special to be part of that closing ceremony," he said, adding he had Christmas shopping still on list of to-do items. "First, I need to get out of these," he said, gesturing to his airman's battle uniform.

Home from his second deployment, SMSgt. Barna paused for time with his family first before greeting his squadron-mates, led by LRS commander Lt. Col. Michael Buoniconti.

"This really is full circle for Westover," Lt. Col. Buoniconti said. He was part of Westover's 439th Airlift Control Flight -- making history as the first airlift control element that set up American operations at the Baghdad airport in April 2003. "But today is about Mike (Barna) as he comes home, having been part of closing down operations there."

SMSgt. Barna has served in the Air Force Reserve for 28 years. This was his second deployment, and one he won't forget anytime soon.

Even with the drawdown in Iraq, Airmen will continue to deploy as 2012 unfolds. Those units scheduled to support overseas contingency operations include the wing chaplain, security forces, and Westover's aerial port squadrons.