MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Wind whipped through the hair of hundreds of family members as multiple CH-46E Sea Knights and CH-53E Super Stallions landed along the flight line here, Nov. 17.
The helicopters contained more than 300 Marines and sailors, with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 and Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 returning from a seven-month deployment with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
Sergeant Tyler Dean, a crew chief with the 163 "Evil Eyes," was greeted by more than 30 family members who came from across the country to welcome him home.The family members, dressed in matching ‘welcome home’ T-shirts, swarmed Dean with hugs, kisses and congratulations on a safe and successful deployment.
“It was amazing that everyone was able to make it out here for this,” said Dean.
While deployed, the Marines spent more than 100 days in Iraq supporting 2nd MAW by providing troop transports and aerial support.
They also trained at the Udari Range in Kuwait and were prepared to be called into action anywhere in their operational area.
“We did a little bit of everything while we were out there,” explained Lt. Col. Brent Willson, the Evil Eyes commanding officer. “You can’t even come up with words to describe how these guys and gals did, phenomenal isn’t even a good enough word.”
After their post-deployment leave, the Marines of both squadrons will return to work and begin preparing for their next assignment.