17 SOS crew returns from desert deployment Published March 28, 2007 By MSgt. Marilyn C. Holliday 353 SOG/PA 3/23/2007 - OKINAWA, Japan -- -- An aircrew returning from a four-month deployment in the desert visited students at E.C. Killin Elementary at Camp Foster in Okinawa March 23 to personally thank them for the class' cards and letters. The crew from the 17th Special Operations Squadron visited six classes of first, second and third graders and were greeted with smiles, questions and welcome home cards. "It's amazing how thoughts of kindness from complete strangers can boost the morale of an aircrew," Capt. Robert Bingham, 17 SOS pilot, wrote in his first letter to the students. "We fly missions in the evening hours while wearing night vision goggles to refuel helicopters, conduct air drops and perform air land missions - all in support of the war on terrorism." The crew left Kadena Nov. 26 and returned March 11 after flying about 40 missions in the area of responsibility in support of both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The deployment was the first to Central Command for the squadron, whose daily mission encompasses the Pacific region. The crew was augmenting for another CONUS-based squadron. The students began writing to the crew, sending individually addressed cards and letters, in December and sent cards for Christmas and Valentine's Day. The students included jokes and specialized artwork. "It's important for us all to see the military in action and feel a part of it," Mrs. Diane LaMarr, second grade teacher, said. Mrs. LaMarr circulated the letter from Captain Bingham and got other classes involved in the letter and card writing. The crew members sent the school an American flag flown Christmas Day 2006 during a mission from Iraq to Afghanistan. E.C. Killen Elementary in turn placed the flag in a shadow box at the school's entrance and sent the crew a teddy bear the students named Crystal. The crew brought Crystal and photos of Crystal to the welcome home session. Photos of Crystal, decked out with night vision goggles aboard the crew's MC-130P Combat Shadow were circulated and displayed. "You have good and bad days while deployed," Technical Sgt. Chris Neufeld, 17th SOS loadmaster said. "The cards and letters always showed up on a bad day and always made you smile." At E.C. Killen Elementary, the military members fielded questions on uniforms, a typical day while deployed, the winter weather in Iraq, air refueling, and whether or not the crew members were apprehensive to perform their mission. "This isn't always an easy job, but knowing that people like you are behind us makes it all feel worthwhile," Captain Bingham said. "Support is the greatest thing a country can give its service members, especially during a time of war."