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OGDEN — A group of Airmen from Hill Air Force Base were welcomed home Tuesday evening by their family and friends. This was the so-called "Angry Warriors'" eighth deployment, in which they played a pivotal role in Afghanistan.
"This is my third deployment in about three years," said Sr. Aireman Sean Scott.
Upon returning home Tuesday, he finally met his baby girl, Seniah. "I've seen her a couple of times through the little TV screen, but it's the first time I've gotten to hold her," he said.
After a half year in Afghanistan, the Airmen embraced their loved ones, smiled again, and wiped away the tears of joy.
In the skies over Afghanistan, members of the 729th ACS were wartime air traffic controllers. They manned radar control stations 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and held the enemy at bay by directing coalition air power where it's needed.
"They're deployed for six months, they're home for about eight (months), and then they do it all over again," explained Col. Roger Brown, commander of the 552nd Air Control Group.
Capt. Neil Dimmitt also got to hold his baby for the first time Tuesday evening. It was a welcome blessing following some tough times.
"Braden was born with a birth defect, with club feet, and we've gone through treatment treating his feet," said Deborah Dimmitt, Neil's wife. "And they are in the correct position, and now he just has to wear braces at night for four years. But it's been a long process. We've done it alone."
"I was just trying to stay focused on the job," Neil Dimmitt said. "I knew she would come out just fine."
"It was hard. It was overwhelming," Deborah Dimmitt added. "But we do what we have to when you're married to wonderful men."
Now the family says it's time to get to know each other.
The squadron controlled an area nearly the size of Texas. They supported more than 45,000 air combat missions.
Email: jboal@ksl.com
