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Site SearchSEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. — Two months after two of their pilots were killed in plane crash in Afghanistan, airmen from the 336th Fighter Squadron returned this week from a four-month deployment.
About 150 airmen, including members of the 4th Maintenance Group, got a rousing welcome from family and friends Wednesday evening. Another 350 returned home late Tuesday.
On July 17, an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet crashed in Ghazni Province in Afghanistan, killing Capt. Mark McDowell, 26, of Colorado Springs, and Capt. Thomas Gramith, 27, of Eagan, Minn.
"It was a bad time. I don't know what to say really,” Air Force Sgt. Joseph Cordero said.
McDowell was a Charlotte native whose grandfather lives in Sanford.
The cause of the crash hasn't been released, but military officials have said it was from non-hostile action.
"We had to have a lot of morale boosters before we left because a lot of the guys were pretty down about it," Air Force Sgt. Matthew Anderson said. "Right now, we're just glad to be home to see our families."
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September 10, 2009 9:36 a.m.
Welcome back pilots, crews, and support you make all of us SO proud of you.
I cannot begin to imagine how difficult the journey home was after having lost two from your "family."
September 9, 2009 7:23 p.m.
September 9, 2009 6:49 p.m.
September 9, 2009 6:14 p.m.
September 9, 2009 4:55 p.m.