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August was the deadliest month for U.S. troops fighting in Afghanistan. 67 Americans lost their lives to roadside bombs, Taliban gunfire, and an attack on a Chinook helicopter carrying Navy SEALs.
But despite all that, an Alaska Air National Guard unit managed to get out unscathed.
They returned, Thursday, to a crowd of family and friends at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson.
“It was incredible to come home to them, I couldn’t wait to get off the plane,” said TSgt. Stephannie Carrier, whose daughter Emery and son Dayson were waiting for her.
Carrier and 125 others from the Air National Guard spent 90 days based at Bagram Airfield, near Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.
The squadron flew out to forward operating bases all across the country, helping the army evacuate wounded troops. They also dropped supplies to Special Forces on the ground in some of the most unstable regions.
“We had a few moments that were really scary,” said Carrier.
“There were times we were fired upon. Luckily no one ever got injured and all of our aircraft made it home safely,” said Lt. Col. David Glick.
It was mostly small arms fire from Taliban on the ground shooting AK-47s, Glick said.
The Air National Guard requires guardsmen fill out a questionnaire upon their return, which asks about any anxiety or sleeplessness they may be experiencing. If nurses suspect even the slightest problem, the guardsman must go see a doctor upon their return
This was the squadron’s fifth deployment. They say they're expecting to be called back this time next year or in early 2013.