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John Daley Reporting A return home today for a group of Utah troops; they're coming back from a support role in Operation Enduring Freedom. They were stationed not in Iraq or Afghanistan, but in the Central Asian nation of Kyrgystan, where the U.S. has an air base.
It's a welcome homecoming for 13 Air Force reservists after touching down on familiar soil, after seven months away and 36-hours en route from Central Asia.
Stanley Graham, Reservist, 419th Fighter Wing: "She's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
She is little Haley, born seven weeks ago, and today she's meeting Dad for the first time.
Joann Graham, Wife: "So we're pretty excited to have him home so he can help with the feedings and getting up in the middle of the night."
The reservists are part of the 419th Fighter Wing Security Forces Squadron, stationed in a little quieter corner of the U.S. military effort, at the Manas Air Base in the capitol city of Krygyzstan. Their job there was providing base security.
Sgt. Michael Chalmers, Reservist, 419th Fighter Wing: "We were supporting Afghanistan. We're the central hub for everyone who was going into Afghanistan. We supplied the fuel for the ac-10s and the aircraft flying over Afghanistan and the logistics for all the soldiers going in and out of Afghanistan."
The main emotions at this reunion were a mixture of joy, fatigue and relief.
Keena Chalmers, Wife: "I was hoping not to cry but I couldn't help it. My kids ran out there. It was overwhelming. I thought I'd be ok but I wasn't. It was good."
McKenna Chalmers, Daughter: "Question: Hey McKenna how do you feel about dad being home? He comes home for a little while."
Michael Chalmers, Reservist, 419th Fighter Wing: "It's good be back. Very good to be back. Just happy to be home after 36 hours of flight. It's good to get off."
One soldier today tells us the thing he's most looking forward to, now that he's home, is sleeping in his own bed.
