374 LRS vehicle operators return from Iraq

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ruth Curfman
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  After serving for nearly nine months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, 14 Airmen from the 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle operations flight returned home Nov. 13. 

While deployed to Kuwait and Iraq, the Yokota Airmen augmented U.S. Army convoy support operations by delivering and protecting troop supplies to forward operating bases throughout Iraq. 

Despite encountering numerous Improvised Explosive Device detonations, small arms fire engagements and complex rocket propelled grenade attacks, the efforts of these 14 Yokota Airmen directly enabled their unit to complete 242 line-haul missions covering more than 1.9 million miles. 

"I am proud of each and every one of our great Airmen," said Lt. Col. Richard Peterson, 374 LRS commander. "We are all extremely proud of them and the courage under fire they brought to war.  Their achievements continue to echo loud and clear to our enemies. Thank God they all returned safely, welcome home!" 

Family members, friends and co-workers gathered to welcome the Airmen home with open arms.

"I'm so glad he was able to get home early enough so that the whole family will be able to celebrate the holidays together," said Adare Hotel, wife of Staff Sgt. Corey Hotel, 374 LRS vehicle operator and dispatcher. "While he was deployed, he missed both of our children's birthdays, now we will be able to catch up on those celebrations." 

"It was amazing to see my youngest son, Corey, walking, sitting up and crawling," said Sergeant Hotel. "When I left he was only four and a half months old, and now my older son, Dennis, is in preschool. I have a lot of catching up to do." 

Prior to their deployment, the LRS members attended a six-week Basic Combat Convoy Course in Texas to better prepare them for their mission. The training course provided combat skills crucial to mission success.

"I would like to proudly recognize those that stayed here and supported daily ops at Yokota," said Colonel Peterson. "Team Yokota should be proud of our deployers' accomplishments, but also give our men and women here a 'thanks' for keeping the mission alive and well at home."