Downpour doesn't dampen 421st EFS homecoming Published Oct. 4, 2006 By Airman 1st Class Stefanie Torres 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- More than 200 Airmen from the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron are home after a four-month deployment to Balad Air Base, Iraq. Hangar 37 was flooded with waiting family, friends and co-workers here Sept. 15, at about 4:10 p.m. as the Airmen stepped off the commercial airline. The downpour of rain didn't stop the happy reunions from being outside the hangar nor did it dampen spirits. "I'm relieved they are home because it was hard without them," said Jessica Sampson, a friend of a few members coming home. "It was difficult this whole time seeing them all over the news with the war going on." This is the second time the 421st EFS has been to Balad Air Base and their third deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Their mission during this deployment was to cover the ground troops and provide all necessary air support. A dozen F-16s and pilots returned Saturday from the deployment.