A flag waving homecoming

Senior Airman Michael Swenson, a C-130 crew chief with the 133rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, holds a flag out the top of a Minnesota Air National Guard “Hercules” as they taxi home from deployment to Southwest Asia on July 13, 2012. About thirty Airmen were on the flight returning today from a base in the Persian Gulf Region, supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and other military contingencies overseas. Two more C-130 flights are scheduled over the next couple of days, each with about another thirty Airmen aboard, redeploying back to the 133rd Airlift Wing. USAF official photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson

A flag waving homecoming

Senior Airman Michael Swenson, a C-130 crew chief with the 133rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, holds a flag out the top of a Minnesota Air National Guard “Hercules” as they taxi home from deployment to Southwest Asia on July 13, 2012. About thirty Airmen were on the flight returning today from a base in the Persian Gulf Region, supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and other military contingencies overseas. Two more C-130 flights are scheduled over the next couple of days, each with about another thirty Airmen aboard, redeploying back to the 133rd Airlift Wing. USAF official photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson

One more check on her phone before takeoff

Seen through a night vision lens in the dark cargo area aboard a 133rd Airlift Wing C-130 “Hercules,” an Airman takes a last check on her phone prior to deploying to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom on Mar. 11, 2012. Over thirty members of the 133rd Airlift Wing launched before dawn from the Minneapolis – St. Paul international airport. USAF official photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson

Early morning launch to Afghanistan

In the early morning darkness of Mar. 11, 2012 a Minnesota Air National Guard C-130 H3 “Hercules” cargo aircraft taxis towards the Minneapolis – St. Paul international runway with all four engines turning. Over 30 Airmen of the 133rd Airlift Wing deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom on Mar. 11, 2012. USAF official photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson

A cool morning walk to a C-130 going to Afghanistan

An Airman from the Minnesota Air National Guard walks in the cold early morning hours towards a waiting C-130 H3 “Hercules” that will take him and about 30 others to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom on March 9, 2012 at the St. Paul Air National Guard base. USAF official photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mark Moss

A send-off with a salute to Southwest Asia

A crew chief salutes as a Minnesota Air National Guard C-130 H3 “Hercules” launches to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom on March 9, 2012 at the St. Paul Air National Guard base. USAF official photo by Senior Airman Jonathan Young