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        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      A photo of the 34th Fighter Squadron homecoming200507-F-LS255-0003.JPG
                        
                        
                        The first wave of Airmen from the active duty 388th and Reserve 419th Fighter Wings returned home to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, May 7, 2020, following a six-month deployment to the Middle East. (U.S. Air Force photo by Todd Cromar)
                
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        A photo of the 34th Fighter Squadron homecoming200507-F-EF974-1045
                        
                        
                        Senior Airman John Michalek, 388th Maintenance Squadron, has his temperature checked during a health screening, May 7, 2020, at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, following a six-month deployment to the Middle East. The Airmen will be quarantined with their families for 14 days as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus. The 34th Fighter Squadron’s deployment, which started in November, 2019, was the first F-35 Immediate Response Force deployment as well as the second F-35A Lightning II combat deployment. The Airmen supported the United States Air Force Central Command mission in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cynthia Griggs)
                
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        Photo from the 34th fighter squadron homecoming200507-F-EF974-1088
                        
                        
                        The family of Maj. Steve Jensen, 466th Fighter Squadron with the 419th Fighter Wing, wait in their van for Jensen to arrive, May 7, 2020, at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, following a six-month deployment to the Middle East. Families practiced social distancing while awaiting their Airmen and they will be quarantined for 14 days as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus. The 34th Fighter Squadron’s deployment, which started in November, 2019, supported the United States Air Force Central Command mission in the Middle East. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cynthia Griggs)
                
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        A photo of the 34th Fighter Squadron homecoming200507-F-EF974-1106
                        
                        
                        Maj. Steve Jensen, 466th Fighter Squadron with the 419th Fighter Wing, hugs his children, May 7, 2020, at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, following a six-month deployment to the Middle East. Families will be quarantined for 14 days as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus. The 34th Fighter Squadron’s deployment, which started in November, 2019, supported the United States Air Force Central Command Mission in the Middle East. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cynthia Griggs)
                
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        A photo of the 34th Fighter Squadron homecoming200507-F-LS255-0008.JPG
                        
                        
                        Lori Cover, and daughters, Hana and Chloe, greet their father, Lt Col. Maxwell Cover, 34th Fighter Squadron, as he returned home to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, May 7, 2020, following a six-month deployment to the Middle East. (U.S. Air Force photo by Todd Cromar)
                
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        A photo of the 34th Fighter Squadron homecoming200507-F-LS255-0006.JPG
                        
                        
                        Families practiced social distancing by staying in their cars while awaiting their Airmen from the active duty 388th and Reserve 419th Fighter Wings, as they returned home to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, May 7, 2020, following a six-month deployment to the Middle East. (U.S. Air Force photo by Todd Cromar)
                
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First group of Airmen from Hill AFB’s 34th Fighter Squadron return homePublished May 8, 2020
                    
                    By Micah Garbarino
                    
                    
                    388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
            **HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah (AFNS) --**The first wave of Airmen from the active duty **388th Fighter Wing** and Reserve **419th Fighter Wing** returned home, May 7, following a six-month deployment to the Middle East.
The 34th Fighter Squadron’s deployment, which started in November 2019, was the first F-35 Immediate Response Force deployment as well as the second **F-35A Lightning II**combat deployment. The Airmen supported the United States **Air Force Central Command** mission in the region.
During the deployment, the Airmen performed close air support, offensive and defensive counter-air, and maritime escort which enabled regional deterrence, said Lt. Col. Aaron Cavazos, 34th Fighter Squadron commander. They also operated simultaneously from two different bases for more than three months and participated in multinational exercises, strengthening partnerships with regional allies.
“We’re extremely proud of the mission these Airmen carried out during their deployment. It’s what we train for here every day,” said Col. Steven Behmer, 388th FW commander. “We have a lot of happy families here today. It’s great to have them home and we look forward to the rest of our Airmen returning.”
Another group of Airmen from the 34th FS will remain in the region supporting operations there.
The Airmen are made up of pilots from the active duty 34th FS and Reserve 466th FS, as well as active duty and Reserve Airmen in the 34th and 466th Aircraft Maintenance Units, and personnel in other support functions.
The returning Airmen will be quarantined for 14 days as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus. Most will quarantine at home with their families, but there is also temporary lodging on base for those who have family members at higher-risk.
“It’s always great to see our people come home from deployment after a job well done,” said Col. Brian Silkey, acting commander of the 419th FW. “I want to extend my sincere gratitude to all the family members who held things together here at home during this difficult time for our nation. I also want to thank the civilian employers of our reservists who’ve also made many sacrifices so their employees can serve our country. We simply can’t do what we do without the unwavering support of our families and the community.”
The F-35A, the conventional takeoff and landing variant of the joint strike fighter, provides operational flexibility by combining advanced stealth capabilities with the latest weapons technology.
The 388th and 419th FW are the Air Force first combat-capable F-35A units. The first operational F-35As arrived at Hill AFB in October 2015. The active duty 388th FW and Air Force Reserve 419th FW fly and maintain the jet in a total force partnership, which capitalizes on the strength of both components.LR 



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