Tears and cheers

At a glance

Between mid-March and late September, two deployments of 84WG Detachment personnel, comprising about 160 members, have served at Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan. Since the beginning of coalition operations, the Australian detachments refuelled aircraft on more than 800 occasions, offloading more than 6 million pounds of fuel. The amount of fuel transferred by the Australian detachments would be enough for an F/A-18 Hornet to fly to the moon and back.

Prime Minister John Howard shares in the elation as Squadron Leader Richard greets his twin boys, Ben and Joshua, and wife Sandy, also a Squadron Leader.

A detachment member happily flies the flag on his return to Australian soil. Photos by LAC Ricky Fuller

WHEN No. 84 Wing Detachment’s deployment to Kyrgyzstan began three months ago, tears flowed at RAAF Base Richmond.

Tears flowed just as freely at the base on September 29 as about 80 Air Force personnel were greeted by family and friends at a joyous homecoming.

An air of excitement came over the crowd waiting on the tarmac as the two Air Force B707s appeared on the horizon over the suburbs of Sydney.

As the two aircraft performed a customary fly-past, mothers, fathers, husbands, wives and partners on the ground waved optimistically in the hope that their loved ones, still hundreds of metres in the air, would wave back.

After doing a full circuit of the base, the first aircraft landed, followed a minute later by the second.

Excitement escalated as the 707s taxied towards the terminal through the traditional sprays of water from the base’s fire engines.

“There’s my boy,” one proud mother said as the first of the detachment members appeared.

Handshakes, hugs and kisses followed for the next 15 minutes as personnel made a beeline for their loved ones in the crowd.

One Air Force member couldn’t hide his delight as he held his newborn baby for the first time. Another was reunited with his twin boys, who had taken their first steps while he was away. .

• By Ben Caddaye

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