TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Nearly 30 Airmen from the 749th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron returned to Travis Air Force Base, California, Aug. 13, 2021; a Friday, but a lucky day none-the-less.
Family and friends of the returning deployers met them on the flight line to welcome them home from the Middle East. Maj. Gen. Jeffery T. Pennington, Fourth Air Force commander, who happened to be at Travis for training, shook hands with Airmen as they disembarked, and thanked them for their hard work.
The general also presented a challenge coin to Capt. Erin K. Walsh, 944th Aircraft Maintenance unit officer, who stepped up to fill a deployment requirement on short notice.
“We are incredibly proud of our Airmen and their families for their contributions, sacrifices, and hard work during this, and many previous deployments,” said Col. Erin C. Cook, 349th Maintenance Group commander.
The KC-10, which is being phased out at Travis over the next two years, will be replaced with 24 KC-46s in 2023.
“The deep experience our Airmen gained from their many years of service with the KC-10 will translate well to the Boeing KC-46A Pegasus as we usher in this new capability and what it brings to the fight.”
Maj. Paul M. Overdiek, 749th AMXS commander, looks optimistically into the future when summing up the capabilities of his force and the new airframe.
“Each member of the 749th AMXS deserves credit and gratitude for building our proud 20-year legacy of deployed KC-10 operations,” said Overdiek. “Our Airmen consistently delivered strong leadership and unrivaled technical expertise, which ultimately provided air superiority, put bombs on target, and saved coalition lives. As we pause from our deployed mission to begin our next chapter, this strong leadership and know-how in our Airmen will ensure our successful conversion and combat readiness for future KC-46 deployments.”