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Photo Feature: They're back! Maintainers, pilots return from Balad

By Capt. Gabe Johnson, 162nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published January 26, 2009

Tech. Sgt. Joe Mazzei hugs his daughter Morgan, 5, upon his return home Jan. 24, after a four-month deployment to Balad Air Base, Iraq. Family and friends crowded the baggage claim area at Tucson International Airport to welcome home 28 aircraft maintainers and pilots. The Guardsmen volunteered for tours ranging from 8 months to 30 days in duration. They were given a standing ovation from travelers in the terminal on their way to baggage claim. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)
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Tech. Sgt. Joe Mazzei hugs his daughter Morgan, 5, upon his return home Jan. 24, after a four-month deployment to Balad Air Base, Iraq. Family and friends crowded the baggage claim area at Tucson International Airport to welcome home 28 aircraft maintainers and pilots. The Guardsmen volunteered for tours ranging from 8 months to 30 days in duration. They were given a standing ovation from travelers in the terminal on their way to baggage claim. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)

Staff Sgt. David Ruiz shakes hands with a member of the Patriot Riders. Family and friends crowded the baggage claim area at Tucson International Airport to welcome home 28 aircraft maintainers and pilots. The Guardsmen volunteered for tours ranging from 8 months to 30 days in duration. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)
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Staff Sgt. David Ruiz shakes hands with a member of the Patriot Riders. Family and friends crowded the baggage claim area at Tucson International Airport to welcome home 28 aircraft maintainers and pilots. The Guardsmen volunteered for tours ranging from 8 months to 30 days in duration. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)

Staff Sgt. Frank Rendon hugs a family member. Family and friends crowded the baggage claim area at Tucson International Airport to welcome home 28 aircraft maintainers and pilots. The Guardsmen volunteered for tours ranging from 8 months to 30 days in duration. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)
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Staff Sgt. Frank Rendon hugs a family member. Family and friends crowded the baggage claim area at Tucson International Airport to welcome home 28 aircraft maintainers and pilots. The Guardsmen volunteered for tours ranging from 8 months to 30 days in duration. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)

Master Sgt. Ben Ruiz is welcomed home by his wife and son. Family and friends crowded the baggage claim area at Tucson International Airport to welcome home 28 aircraft maintainers and pilots Jan. 24. The Guardsmen volunteered for tours ranging from 8 months to 30 days in duration. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)
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Master Sgt. Ben Ruiz is welcomed home by his wife and son. Family and friends crowded the baggage claim area at Tucson International Airport to welcome home 28 aircraft maintainers and pilots Jan. 24. The Guardsmen volunteered for tours ranging from 8 months to 30 days in duration. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)

Tech. Sgt. John Sandoval interviews with KVOA Channel 4's Tyler Wing about his deployment for the evening news. Family and friends crowded the baggage claim area at Tucson International Airport to welcome home 28 aircraft maintainers and pilots Jan. 24. The Guardsmen volunteered for tours ranging from 8 months to 30 days in duration. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)
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Tech. Sgt. John Sandoval interviews with KVOA Channel 4's Tyler Wing about his deployment for the evening news. Family and friends crowded the baggage claim area at Tucson International Airport to welcome home 28 aircraft maintainers and pilots Jan. 24. The Guardsmen volunteered for tours ranging from 8 months to 30 days in duration. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)

Staff Sgt. Jeremy Raymond kisses his wife Priscilla. Family and friends crowded the baggage claim area at Tucson International Airport to welcome home 28 aircraft maintainers and pilots Jan. 24. The Guardsmen volunteered for tours ranging from 8 months to 30 days in duration. They were given a standing ovation from travelers in the terminal on their way to baggage claim. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)
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Staff Sgt. Jeremy Raymond kisses his wife Priscilla. Family and friends crowded the baggage claim area at Tucson International Airport to welcome home 28 aircraft maintainers and pilots Jan. 24. The Guardsmen volunteered for tours ranging from 8 months to 30 days in duration. They were given a standing ovation from travelers in the terminal on their way to baggage claim. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)

Tech. Sgt. Joe Mazzei accepts a box of bread from Sam Dodson (center) and Rick Cortese of Holsom Bakery Inc Jan 24 at Tucson International Airport upon his return from Balad Air Base, Iraq. The 162nd Fighter Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard welcomed home Mazzei and 27 other aircraft maintainers and pilots after supporting F-16 operations in country. The Arizona baking company gave each returning member a box in appreciation of their service. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)
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Tech. Sgt. Joe Mazzei accepts a box of bread from Sam Dodson (center) and Rick Cortese of Holsom Bakery Inc Jan 24 at Tucson International Airport upon his return from Balad Air Base, Iraq. The 162nd Fighter Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard welcomed home Mazzei and 27 other aircraft maintainers and pilots after supporting F-16 operations in country. The Arizona baking company gave each returning member a box in appreciation of their service. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)

Tech. Sgt. Mike Tellez accepts a box of bread from Rick Cortese of Holsom Bakery Inc. Jan 24 at Tucson International Airport upon his return from Balad Air Base, Iraq. The 162nd Fighter Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard welcomed home Tellez and 27 other aircraft maintainers and pilots after supporting F-16 operations in country. The Arizona baking company gave each returning member a box in appreciation of their service. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)
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Tech. Sgt. Mike Tellez accepts a box of bread from Rick Cortese of Holsom Bakery Inc. Jan 24 at Tucson International Airport upon his return from Balad Air Base, Iraq. The 162nd Fighter Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard welcomed home Tellez and 27 other aircraft maintainers and pilots after supporting F-16 operations in country. The Arizona baking company gave each returning member a box in appreciation of their service. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)

Staff Sgt. Sara Peacock is welcomed home home. Family and friends crowded the baggage claim area at Tucson International Airport to welcome home 28 aircraft maintainers and pilots Jan. 24. The Guardsmen volunteered for tours ranging from 8 months to 30 days in duration. They were given a standing ovation from travelers in the terminal on their way to baggage claim. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)
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Staff Sgt. Sara Peacock is welcomed home home. Family and friends crowded the baggage claim area at Tucson International Airport to welcome home 28 aircraft maintainers and pilots Jan. 24. The Guardsmen volunteered for tours ranging from 8 months to 30 days in duration. They were given a standing ovation from travelers in the terminal on their way to baggage claim. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)

Tech. Sgt. Jaime Aviles is greeted by Chaplain (Maj.) Mike Martinez. Family and friends crowded the baggage claim area at Tucson International Airport to welcome home 28 aircraft maintainers and pilots Jan. 24. The Guardsmen volunteered for tours ranging from 8 months to 30 days in duration. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)
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Tech. Sgt. Jaime Aviles is greeted by Chaplain (Maj.) Mike Martinez. Family and friends crowded the baggage claim area at Tucson International Airport to welcome home 28 aircraft maintainers and pilots Jan. 24. The Guardsmen volunteered for tours ranging from 8 months to 30 days in duration. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)

Senior Airman Brent Wolfson reunites with his mother Lynn Harrill who traveled to Tucson from Glendale, Calif., to welcome her son home. Family and friends crowded the baggage claim area at Tucson International Airport to welcome home 28 aircraft maintainers and pilots Jan. 24. The Guardsmen volunteered for tours ranging from 8 months to 30 days in duration. They were given a standing ovation from travelers in the terminal on their way to baggage claim. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)
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Senior Airman Brent Wolfson reunites with his mother Lynn Harrill who traveled to Tucson from Glendale, Calif., to welcome her son home. Family and friends crowded the baggage claim area at Tucson International Airport to welcome home 28 aircraft maintainers and pilots Jan. 24. The Guardsmen volunteered for tours ranging from 8 months to 30 days in duration. They were given a standing ovation from travelers in the terminal on their way to baggage claim. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)

Staff Sgt. TJ Dodson hugs his girlfriend Leta Oranski. Family and friends crowded the baggage claim area at Tucson International Airport to welcome home 28 aircraft maintainers and pilots Jan. 24. The Guardsmen volunteered for tours ranging from 8 months to 30 days in duration. They were given a standing ovation from travelers in the terminal on their way to baggage claim. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)
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Staff Sgt. TJ Dodson hugs his girlfriend Leta Oranski. Family and friends crowded the baggage claim area at Tucson International Airport to welcome home 28 aircraft maintainers and pilots Jan. 24. The Guardsmen volunteered for tours ranging from 8 months to 30 days in duration. They were given a standing ovation from travelers in the terminal on their way to baggage claim. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)

Col. Jose Salinas, wing vice commander, welcomes home the group before departing with their families. Family and friends crowded the baggage claim area at Tucson International Airport to welcome home 28 aircraft maintainers and pilots Jan. 24. The Guardsmen volunteered for tours ranging from 8 months to 30 days in duration. They were given a standing ovation from travelers in the terminal on their way to baggage claim. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)
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Col. Jose Salinas, wing vice commander, welcomes home the group before departing with their families. Family and friends crowded the baggage claim area at Tucson International Airport to welcome home 28 aircraft maintainers and pilots Jan. 24. The Guardsmen volunteered for tours ranging from 8 months to 30 days in duration. They were given a standing ovation from travelers in the terminal on their way to baggage claim. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)

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TUCSON, Ariz. -- The Arizona Air National Guard welcomed home 28 aircraft maintainers and pilots Saturday, Jan. 24, after deployments of varied lengths to Balad Air Base, Iraq.

The Guardsmen, who maintain and operate F-16 Fighting Falcons here at Tucson International Airport, used their training and expertise to support F-16 operations in country.

The 162nd Fighter Wing welcomes home the following members:

Master Sgt. Jeff DeBuhr, Tech. Sgt. Jaime Aviles, Staff Sgt. TJ Dodson, Staff Sgt. Christopher Freker, Tech. Sgt. David Ruiz, Tech. Sgt. James Vanwinkle, Senior Airman Brent Wolfson, Master Sgt. Ben Ruiz, Tech. Sgt. Tim Story, Staff Sgt. Kristopher Roberts, Staff Sgt. Allan Henson, Tech. Sgt. Joe Mazzei, Tech. Sgt. John Diehl, Staff Sgt. Trevor Jones, Staff Sgt. Scott Lilley, Tech. Sgt. Reginaldo Munoz, Staff Sgt. Jeremy Raymond, Staff Sgt. Sarah Peacock, Tech. Sgt. Miguel Loya, Tech. Sgt. Carlos Pozo, Staff Sgt. Frank Rendon, Staff Sgt. Daniel Cwiak, Tech. Sgt. John Sandoval, Tech Sgt. Mike Tellez, Lt. Col. Nick Anderson, Maj. Greg Muller, Lt. Col. Randy Souder, Lt. Col. Jim Taylor.

Click through the photos on the right to see the family reunions that took place, Jan. 24 at Tucson International Airport.