Smiles, Tears and Hugs Welcomed the 129th Rescue Wing Monday

Four months can feel like forever, but on Monday afternoon the wait came to an end for local military families.

Nearly 150 members of the California's Air National Guard 129th Rescue Wing arrived throughout the day at Moffett Field after deployments in Afghanistan and Cape Horn in Africa. 

Around 2 p.m., a C-130 touchdown to the cheers of friends and family with about 30 guardsmen onboard who deployed on January 29th.

"It feels good to be home," said Capt. Kenley Lok of Oak Grove as he held one of his two sons, both dressed in t-shirts with the United States flag. Lok kept in touch with his family via FaceTime, a function on iPhones that allows for video phone calls.

Before the plane arrived, Morgan Hill resident Shannon Deimling waited patiently, but anxiously, for her husband Technical Sergeant Mark Deimling. Her children Tyler, 6, and Sidney, 3. This is the second time in three years Deimling.

"At least I have our kids," she said about how she tried to keep her mind off his absence. "He must have been lonelier...The little one doesn't understand why daddy's gone."

The excitement of being reunited with loved ones electrified the air and everyone expressed their pride in this particular group—they rescued the unit's 1000th person on May 18th, an Afghan national policeman who had suffered a gunshot wound.

"It brings back memories. Just seeing all these people here, brings back pride in the unit," said Milpitas resident Liliana Ramos, the former command chief of the 129th who retired in 2008. She had been at Moffett Field since mid-morning watching soldiers return all day. "With all the families here, they really take care of their own. Even with just three coming off this one flight, people cheered."

"It's good to be part of it in a different way," she said. "The professionalism a that these folks show is a constant. I miss it. It's very exciting, the rescue missions. Everyone is important to make it happen. The 129th is very we'll-respected in Air Force."

As Deimling approach his family, his children ran to hug him. His son began to cry.

"I missed you much daddy," Tyler said. "The four of us are finally back together."