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Marines


MCB Camp Pendleton

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Wing Marines land on home turf

15 Sep 2005 | Cpl. William Skelton Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

For Marines from HMLA 169 the most important flight of the deployment was the one that brought them home.


After delays making it here, the homecoming ceremony held at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton was bitter sweet as family members stood by waiting greet their Marine Sept. 15.


“There’s nothing like having your feet back on U.S. soil,” said Staff Sgt. Travis L. Johnson, avionics technician with HMM 364.


Overwhelmed by the out pouring of family and other Marines on hand to welcome them home, Johnson and others were thinking about the things they would do when they got home.


“I plan on spending a lot of time enjoying my wife “ she’s the reason I come home,” Johnson said.


For Lance Cpl. Chad C. Viel, a maintenance administration clerk with HMM 364, getting to see his baby for the first time was a little over whelming. 

“I don’t even know what to say, what to do. I’m just glad to be home,” Viel said.


The seven and a half month deployment was not only challenging for the Marines, but also for the spouses left behind.


“Having the baby while Chad was away was the toughest part,” said Denise C. Viel, wife of Lance Cpl. Viel. “I counted the days until he could be here to see his little girl.”


For HM1 Steven R. Hessong, the lead petty officer with the medical squadron, deployments and homecomings alike are getting routine.


“This makes my eighth deployment since I’ve been in the service,” Hes-song said.


Thankful for the homecoming, Hes-song said “It lets the kids and families see they are not the only ones in the same boat.”


The unit pulling together gives the children the opportunity to see other kids that didn’t have their mom or dad during the deployment, Hessong said as he pointed to his grandson playing at his side.


The hanger on the air station was decorated with balloons and streamers. Ice chests were full of drinks and food was all around.


Along with the food and decorations, children could be seen running around playing in the bounce house while husbands, wives, moms, dads, sisters and brothers alike sat by in folding chairs anxiously awaiting their loved one’s return.


After everyone was greeted and hugs ex-changed, the Marines from HMLA 169 receive a safety brief from their superiors. When word was passed, they packed their gear into cars standing by outside and left to enjoy a much needed four day weekend, said Johnson.

Wing Marines land on home turf

15 Sep 2005 | Cpl. William Skelton Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

For Marines from HMLA 169 the most important flight of the deployment was the one that brought them home.


After delays making it here, the homecoming ceremony held at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton was bitter sweet as family members stood by waiting greet their Marine Sept. 15.


“There’s nothing like having your feet back on U.S. soil,” said Staff Sgt. Travis L. Johnson, avionics technician with HMM 364.


Overwhelmed by the out pouring of family and other Marines on hand to welcome them home, Johnson and others were thinking about the things they would do when they got home.


“I plan on spending a lot of time enjoying my wife “ she’s the reason I come home,” Johnson said.


For Lance Cpl. Chad C. Viel, a maintenance administration clerk with HMM 364, getting to see his baby for the first time was a little over whelming. 

“I don’t even know what to say, what to do. I’m just glad to be home,” Viel said.


The seven and a half month deployment was not only challenging for the Marines, but also for the spouses left behind.


“Having the baby while Chad was away was the toughest part,” said Denise C. Viel, wife of Lance Cpl. Viel. “I counted the days until he could be here to see his little girl.”


For HM1 Steven R. Hessong, the lead petty officer with the medical squadron, deployments and homecomings alike are getting routine.


“This makes my eighth deployment since I’ve been in the service,” Hes-song said.


Thankful for the homecoming, Hes-song said “It lets the kids and families see they are not the only ones in the same boat.”


The unit pulling together gives the children the opportunity to see other kids that didn’t have their mom or dad during the deployment, Hessong said as he pointed to his grandson playing at his side.


The hanger on the air station was decorated with balloons and streamers. Ice chests were full of drinks and food was all around.


Along with the food and decorations, children could be seen running around playing in the bounce house while husbands, wives, moms, dads, sisters and brothers alike sat by in folding chairs anxiously awaiting their loved one’s return.


After everyone was greeted and hugs ex-changed, the Marines from HMLA 169 receive a safety brief from their superiors. When word was passed, they packed their gear into cars standing by outside and left to enjoy a much needed four day weekend, said Johnson.