Senior Master Sgt. Luis Mateo, 482nd Fighter Wing Civil Engineer, along with his mother and wife, speak with media upon his return home from Iraq Aug 27. Thirteen Airmen from Homestead Air Reserve base arrived Aug 27 and seven returned Aug 28. The Airmen spent six months deployed to Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq working as road builders and light construction engineers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lou Burton)

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Civil Engineering Airmen home from Iraq

Published Aug. 30, 2010
By Senior Airman Lou Burton
482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. -- Miami International Airport terminal H played host in welcoming 20 Airmen from a six-month deployment from Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq. Thirteen Airmen from Homestead Air Reserve base arrived Aug. 27 and seven returned Aug. 28.

Family, friends, and travelers roared into applause as the Airmen exited their aircraft. The HARB Airmen drew a crowd from the presence of local media and Transportation Security Administration Honor Guard flanking their walk way.

The 20 Airmen are all Civil Engineers from the 482nd Fighter Wing. Their main duty was as road builders and light construction engineers.