Last of Cherry Point's Iraqi-deployed aircraft return

Just before noon Friday, the last of the Marine flying fighters from Iraq taxied up the runway to home base at VMAQ-3 squadron’s hangar at Cherry Point.

The clouds were so thick and the wind so strong that awaiting families and friends didn’t hear or see the EA-B6 Prowlers land in formation, just before rain added further chill to a 42-degree day.

But smiles brighter than sunshine welcomed the last of the Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 3, which had been deployed this time for more than six months.

Their return marks the end of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing operations in Iraq.

“The return of VMAQ-3 from Iraq signals the close of a historic chapter in the Global War on Terror,” said Maj. Gen. James F. Flock, commander of the 2nd MAW.

He was there to greet pilots and crews from four of the last six EA-6B Prowlers to leave Iraq and return home and mingle as they waited with about 150 of their family members and friends. Two Prowlers and flight crews will return in a few days from a maintenance stop in Souda, Greece.

The Marine Corps band was also there to greet those returning on Friday.

“You have to get the band,” Flock said. “It wouldn’t be a proper homecoming without the band.”

For Capt. Karl Igler and his wife Katrina, the homecoming was sweet relief, and none too soon. The couple is expecting their first son on March 11.

“It was close,” Katrina Igler said.

Pat Cabbage’s son, Capt. Jason Cabbage, was also returning.

“We’re as excited as the wives but in a different way,” said Pat Cabbage. “I remember when I just hoped he’d stay out of trouble. I came from a time you hoped those you loved wouldn’t get drafted. I never dreamed he’d grow up and fly a plane.”

Later, Dennis Cabbage, Capt. Jason Cabbage’s father, stood with his back against the side of the huge VMAQ-3 hanger, watching as his son kneeled to kiss his little “Brussels sprout.”  

“He’s a good man,” he said of his son.

The return from deployment to the arms of family offers military personnel joy but a bit of culture shock. They are not far removed from a country still war-torn with civil strife. 

“Iraq has turned a corner in terms of its security,” said Maj. William MacNaughton, executive officer with the electronic tactical warfare unit. “We took our opportunity to close that page in the development of Iraq and support of the coalition.

“I believe we have given the Iraqis the tools to succeed. Ultimately it will be the will of the Iraqis that will determine their success.”

Lt. Col. Dominic Roberts, commander of VMAQ-3, said those returning are “good men, good Marines, and good Americans.”

“They did phenomenally well on this deployment and will restart the training cycle once they take a deep breath,” he said. “Pretty soon it will be back to business at home as usual.”

His wife, Kristin Roberts, has seen him through nine deployments as their family grew. Does it get any easier?

“Yes,” said Audrey Roberts, 10, who talks with and, like her brother Zane, plays video games with her father over the Internet while he is gone.

And Ellie Lambert, 10-year-old daughter of Lt. Col. George Lambert, said it is also easier “knowing that he helps our country.”

Others agreed that the evolution of electronic communication does let families and deployed military personnel keep in better touch via cell phones, computers, and Skype video chats.

Jennifer Cabbage said she and her husband talked just about every day.

 “He could see her (daughter Adison) learn words, learn to talk well,” she said.

The effort to communicate nudged the 3-year-old to learn to use a camera and helped her grow in other ways, too, she said.

“It’s great to have him back,” she said. “The family is complete.”

Mary Ann and William Schutz came from upstate New York to share the homecoming of their son, Maj. William Schutz, with their daughter in-law and the couple’s two little girls. Mary Ann Schutz agreed that technology is making the deployments easier on family members.

“But, you can’t hug and kiss them,” she said.