Photo gallery: Fighter wing crews return home in time for Pioneer Day
Sgt. Christopher Herrera reaches for his wife, Amy Herrera, and their kids, Alexander and Mia Herrera, as the 388th Fighter Wing airmen who were deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, in support of Indo-Pacific Command Operations are welcomed home at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
The homecoming of hundreds of 388th Fighter Wing air personnel who were deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, in support of Indo-Pacific Command Operations went just as planned on Wednesday afternoon at Hill Air Force Base: with hugs, smiles, happy tears and more hugs.
The operations, maintenance and support airmen from the 4th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Generation Squadron and other 388th and 419th Fighter Wing units, provided F-35A Lightning II capabilities in theater for 10 months and contributed to local and regional exercises in the INDOPACOM area of responsibility during their tour.
On Wednesday, they were the stars of the show. They were greeted with cheers, posters and smiles by family and friends, and just in time for Pioneer Day.
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Deseret News photojournalist Scott G Winterton share images from the happy reunion.
Wing leadership approach the plane as the 388th Fighter Wing airmen who were deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, in support of Indo-Pacific Command Operations arrive home at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
A few of the 388th Fighter Wing airmen who were deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, in support of Indo-Pacific Command Operations choose to walk back to the hangar from their transport plane instead of riding one of the buses as they are welcomed home to Hill Air Force Base in Ogden on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Amy Herrera cries as she hugs her husband, Sgt. Christopher Herrera, as she and their kids, Alexander and Mia Herrera, join several hundred other family members in welcoming the 388th Fighter Wing airmen who were deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, in support of Indo-Pacific Command Operations, home at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Members of the 388th Fighter Wing airmen who were deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, in support of Indo-Pacific Command Operations are welcomed home at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Sgt. Christopher Herrera holds his daughter Mia Herrera. At the same time, his wife Amy Herrera hugs their son Alexander Herrera as the 388th Fighter Wing airmen who were deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, in support of Indo-Pacific Command Operations are welcomed home at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Members of the 388th Fighter Wing airmen who were deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, in support of Indo-Pacific Command Operations are welcomed home by family and loved ones at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Members of the 388th Fighter Wing airmen who were deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, in support of Indo-Pacific Command Operations walk toward the hangar as they are welcomed home to Hill Air Force Base in Ogden on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Sgt. Christopher Herrera hurries toward his wife Amy and kids Alexander and Mia Herrera as the 388th Fighter Wing airmen who were deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, in support of Indo-Pacific Command Operations are welcomed home at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Members of the 388th Fighter Wing airmen who were deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, in support of Indo-Pacific Command Operations are welcomed home by family and loved ones at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Families watch from the hangar as a few members of the 388th Fighter Wing airmen who were deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, in support of Indo-Pacific Command Operations walk toward them as they arrive home to Hill Air Force Base in Ogden on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Sgt. Jackson Evan holds his daughters, Iva and Blakely, as he kisses his wife, Madalyn Jackson, as the 388th Fighter Wing airmen who were deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, in support of Indo-Pacific Command Operations are welcomed home to Hill Air Force Base in Ogden on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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