The military life is filled with certain uncertainty – service members know they will move homes a dozen times, they will be sent on training and temporary duty assignments, and they will be deployed, likely in harm’s way. “It’s just as important to recognize the sacrifices and the strength of our family members back at home. Craig Andrle, 388th Fighter Wing commander.

“Whenever we deploy, especially if it is short notice, we talk a lot about the capabilities and strength of our military members,” said Col. The hundreds of Airmen in the 34th Fighter Squadron and Fighter Generation Squadron have a deployed mission to carry out in Germany, and while they are gone, those with families, spouses, partners, will be grateful for the mission being fulfilled back home.

The squadron is the heart beat of the Air Force, leaders say, and connected families are the heartbeat of the squadron. Underneath them, stood a small group of spouses, friends and one bundled toddler, waving goodbye.

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah - Afterburners trailed fluorescent-orange as a number of F-35A Lightning IIs took off in route to Germany to bolster NATO defenses.

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