Airmen return from deployment Published Jan. 18, 2011 By Master Sgt. Mike Smith 139th Airlift Wing ST. JOSEPH, MO. -- Airmen from the 139th Airlift Wing's maintenance, operations and support squadrons returned home after three months' service in the area of operations (AOR) of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). The group landed at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base on a 139th C-130 Hercules aircraft and was greeted by their families and fellow Guardmembers. The group is part of a larger contingency of 139th Airmen and aircraft that departed in the fall. The wing's other deployed aircraft and Airmen are scheduled to return in the coming weeks. Since their departure, the deployed group airlifted thousands of pounds of cargo and passengers across the AOR in support of coalition efforts in overseas contingency operations. Maj. Ryan Stepp, plans officer, said the Airmen worked long hours to maintain a "high operations tempo" of cargo and passengers, flying and maintaining Missouri Guard aircraft from their air base overseas. "It's well known over there that the Guard handles these flying missions extremely well," said Stepp. "Our folks are part of that reputation." The group also conducted air drops as well as delivered humanitarian aid to the civilian population.