Air Force Staff Sgt. Jeff Greenquist proposes to his girlfriend, Ashley Branham, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Oct. 12, 2017, after returning from a six-month deployment to the Middle East. (Carlin Leslie/U.S. Air Force)
Air Force Staff Sgt. Jeff Greenquist proposes to his girlfriend, Ashley Branham, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Oct. 12, 2017, after returning from a six-month deployment to the Middle East. (Carlin Leslie/U.S. Air Force)
Staff Sgt. Spencer Chamber hugs his new-born baby Xanthe, whom he has never met, after his return to Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., on Thursday Oct. 12, 2017, from a six-month deployment to the Middle East in participation of Operation Inherent Resolve. (Carlin Leslie/U.S. Air Force)
Master Sgt. Jeremiah Clarson, the 192nd Maintenance Squadron quality assurance inspector, greets his family at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017. (Tristan Biese/U.S. Air Force)
Sgt. Nathaniel Sorensen, 633rd Communications Squadron client systems supervisor, kisses his wife Sarah Sorensen, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017. (Tristan Biese/U.S. Air Force)
U.S. airmen return to Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017, after a six-month deployment in the Middle East supporting the 27th Fighter Squadron’s mission in Operation Inherent Resolve. (Tristan Biese/U.S. Air Force)
Family members of Virginia Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Jeff Greenquist, hold a welcome-home sign, celebrating his return from the Middle East at Joint Base Langley- Eustis, Va., on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017. (Carlin Leslie/U.S. Air Force)
Virginia Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Jeff Greenquist, 192nd Maintenance Squadron low observable technician, kisses his fiancé Ashley Branham, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017, after she accepted his proposal to marry her. (Carlin Leslie/U.S. Air Force)
After helping in the fight against the Islamic State during a six month deployment to the Middle East, members of the 1st Fighter Wing returned home to Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia on Thursday.
More than 100 servicemembers got a rousing reception from family and friends. There were hugs and kisses all around.
One well-wisher, Ashley Branham, was taken aback when her boyfriend, Air Force Staff Sgt. Jeff Greenquist, dropped to one knee, stretched out his hands with an engagement ring and proposed. Soon after, they celebrated with a kiss.
Greenquist, a low observable technician with Langley's 192nd Maintenance Squadron, was part of a contingent of airmen that deployed to maintain the 1st FW's F-22 Raptors that participated in Operation Inherent Resolve missions against ISIS militants in Iraq and Syria.
According to an Air Force news release, the 1st FW’s 27th Fighter Squadron was the lead element deployed, they were joined by personnel from the 27th Aircraft Maintenance Unit as well as Virginia Air National Guard Airmen assigned to the 192nd Fighter Wing.
Some of the wings F-22s remained in Europe as part of the European Deterrence Initiative, 1st FW Commander Col. Jason T. Hinds, said according to the release.
“The F-22 is America’s premier air dominance fighter, and our mission to Europe provides us an opportunity to train with our allies and strengthen our partnerships.” said Hinds.
“Today’s homecoming is great.” said Hinds. “But we won’t really be home until everyone returns from Europe.”
