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Lt. Col. Bradely Garcia, 507th Maintenace Squadron commander welcomes Master Sgt. Camerson Dinger, 507th MXS and 20 other Reservists that returned home from South West Asia here May 13. The 507th ARW Reservists served five months supporting on-going air refueling operations in U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Jon Quinlan)

Tinker Reservists return from Southwest Asia

Published May 16, 2013
By Maj. Jon Quinlan
507th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- More than 20 Reserve Airmen from the 507th Air Refueling Wing returned home to Tinker Air Force Base May 13th, after a five-month deployment to Southwest Asia in support of on-going air refueling operations in U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

The 507th Air Refueling Wing is the largest Air Force Reserve Command flying unit in the state of Oklahoma and the majority of Airmen returning Monday live and work in Oklahoma permanently as Reservists.

For some families, this deployment is not the first separation due to deployment.

"This is our second deployment but this is our first baby and he is home just in time," said Jordan Mills, wife of Staff Sgt. Robert Mills, 507th Maintenance Squadron who is pregnant with their first child and is due a few weeks.

The wing operates and maintains 12 KC-135R "Stratotanker" aircraft providing world-wide aerial refueling to U.S. Military and NATO aircraft. These Airmen returning make up approximately one third of the total number of 507th ARW reservists deployed downrange. They are the second group to return this year from the 507th ARW. More Reservists are due back later this month.