Air Force
Airmen return to Beale AFB after 6-month deployment
Stars and Stripes
April 9, 2025
U.S. Air Force airmen and Beale teammates show their posters prepared for the arrival of deployed airmen at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., April 7, 2025. (Frederick A. Brown/U.S. Air Force)
Airmen from the 9th Reconnaissance Wing returned to Beale Air Force Base in California after a six-month deployment supporting the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing providing critical command and control, operational and administrative capabilities.
The 378th Air Expeditionary Wing is garrisoned at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
Family, friends and Beale service members gathered on the flight line and welcomed the airmen back during a homecoming ceremony on Monday.
The deployment follows the 24-month cycle of the Air Force Force Generation model which ensures a sustainable force offering of airmen and airpower to the Joint Force.
“We saw airmen come together from across well over 40 bases to perform record levels of combat ops (operations) over there,” said Col. Charles Hansen, commander, 9th Mission Support Group.
A family stands with a sign to greet their father at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., as he returns home after a six-month deployment on April 7, 2025. (Frederick A. Brown/U.S. Air Force)
U.S. Air Force airmen, teammates and family line up on the flight line in preparation for the arrival of deployed Airmen returning at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., on April 7, 2025. (Frederick A. Brown/U.S. Air Force)
U.S. Air Force Col. Keagan L. McLeese, 9th Reconnaissance Wing base commander, embraces family at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., on April 7, 2025. (Sharon Cardenas/U.S. Air Force)
U.S. Air Force airmen embrace with their child at Beale Air Force Base, California, after returning from a six-month deployment, on April 7, 2025. (Frederick A. Brown/U.S. Air Force)
U.S. Air Force airmen, families and friends await the arrival of deployed Airmen at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., on April 7, 2025. (Frederick A. Brown/U.S. Air Force)
U.S. Air Force airmen assigned to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, are greeted by family members and Beale personnel as they return from a six-month deployment at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., on April 7, 2025. (Sharon Cardenas/U.S. Air Force)
U.S. Air Force airmen assigned to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, are greeted by family members and Beale personnel as they return from a six-month deployment at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., on April 7, 2025. (Sharon Cardenas/U.S. Air Force)
U.S. Air Force airmen assigned to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, are greeted by family members and Beale personnel as they return from a six-month deployment at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., on April 7, 2025. (Sharon Cardenas/U.S. Air Force)
U.S. Air Force airmen deplane at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., as a U-2 Dragon Lady comes in for a landing behind them onApril 7, 2025. (Frederick A. Brown/U.S. Air Force)
U.S. Air Force airmen assigned to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, are greeted by family members and Beale personnel as they return from a six-month deployment at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., on April 7, 2025. (Sharon Cardenas/U.S. Air Force)