After months of war, JBLM aviation unit returns home

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - A smiling Spc. Kevin Salas held his daughter Alannah for the first time Saturday night inside hangar 2158 on JBLM's Gray Army Airfield.

"I just can't believe I'm here right now. It's amazing; she's amazing," said Salas.

When Alannah was born, Salas was deployed to southern Afghanistan with the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade.

The Raptors were responsible for providing general aviation support for Operation Enduring Freedom.

At 11 p.m. on Saturday that mission came to an end for more than 100 Raptor Soldiers.

They marched into the hangar to the sound of cheers, applause, and colorful banners welcoming them home.

"It's nice to see families out supporting, and [the unit] supporting. Soldiers coming home is special," said Jason Brier," brother-in-law to one of the returning Soldiers, Spc. Matthew Shutter. "One-hundred and five Soldiers went out and 105 heroes are coming home."

Brier's daughter, Alexis Tenney, attended the homecoming to see her uncle.

She's just 7 years old, but she stood at the entrance of the hangar patiently waiting for Shutter to return.

"When he deployed, she was in first grade and it hit her pretty hard," said Brier. "He gave her his [patrol cap] and one of his dog tags with the promise that he would come home to get it."

As promised, Tenney returned Shutter's patrol cap, and a big hug to go with it.

The homecoming ceremony is considered the first step for Soldier and Family reintegration.

Salas, Shutter, and the other returning Soldiers will spend the next two weeks receiving resources to help them reintegrate, and medical evaluations to make sure their immediate needs are addressed.

The Army provides a number of resources to include behavioral health specialists and Family advocates to assist Soldiers and Families in getting back to life as normal.

Reintegration is a different experience for everyone, but to help, Soldiers are provided a period of leave to allow time to reconnect with their loved ones.

But first there is the homecoming.

Family members waited anxiously to greet their loved one inside hangar 2158 Saturday. They were comforted by a video feed showing their Soldiers exit the plane that carried them home from war.

"I love the live feed. They've really done a great job at keeping the families involved," said Brier.

More Raptors will return home in the coming weeks through a series of flights.

Each will have their own stories, but they will all come home to the sounds of excitement.

An emotional Salas held his daughter as he recalled seeing her on Skype while deployed, "but this is way different," he said.