NEWS

Air National Guard Wing returns home to cheers

David Murray
dmurray@greatfallstribune.com

The excitement cranked up a few notches when two C-130 Hercules transport planes flew in low over the assembled crowd; then banked hard to the west on their final approach before landing. A chorus of cheers went up to greet the big, lumbering aircraft. Wives, children, husbands and parents fidgeted from side-to-side, nervously shaking the Welcome Home signs they’d prepared the night before.

The men and women of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing were almost home.

“It’s been a long four months,” said Nicole Van Auken.

Her husband, Airman Ronald Van Auken, was one of the 50 servicemen and servicewomen aboard the two Air Force planes that were about to land. Although the Van Aukens have been a couple for five years, they were married just eight months ago. Four months after their wedding day, Airman Van Auken was sent to southwest Asia.

“This is our first deployment together - and the first deployment of his career,” Nicole Van Auken said. “We’re used to distance; TDYs as such (temporary duty assignments). But this was his first true deployment, so it was tough.”

A first deployment for Airman Van Auken and the first large-scale deployment for the men and women of the 120th Airlift Wing since the unit was given its new assignment in 2013.

On March 1, 2014, the Air National Guard unit based in Great Falls received its first C-130; one of four assigned to the station atop Gore Hill and adjacent to Great Falls International Airport. After two-and-a-half years, Air Wing Commander, Col. Lee Smith declared the unit’s conversion from an F-15 fighter mission to the C-130 airlift mission complete. Just 23 days after that the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing took off for a four-month deployment overseas.

It was the Sanborn families first deployment as well.

“We are beyond excited,” said Carrie Sanborn. “It’s been hard, but face-time was a lifesaver. My kids are really great and my oldest (six-year-old Evan) helped out a lot.”

Four-year-old Sadie Sanborn was most excited about the chance to roughhouse with her dad again.

“I’m going to make him spin me around on the floor in the kitchen,” Sadie said with an excited squeal. “I’m going to make him do it so fast I get a big headache.”

It will certainly be only one of many happy family memories following the return of 386th.