Channel 13 Action News

Final unit out of Iraq returns to Nellis Air Force Base

CREATED Feb. 8, 2012

North Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- It was an emotional homecoming Wednesday night as the final United States combat unit to leave Iraq returned home to Nellis Air Force Base.

Members from that unit, the 66th Rescue Squadron, were among the 71 men and women welcomed home.

"We're just ecstatic that we're able to bring our crews back to their loved ones," says the unit's commander, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Duffy. "We do have other operations going on so anytime we can bring crews home that's just a great feeling."

The airmen were greeted by cheering families and small children.

For airman Nicholas Pahis, seeing his family was even more emotional. It has a new member.

"It's the first time I got to see my daughter," says Pahis. "Knowing she's safe because we're doing what we're doing, that makes it better and easier."

For children, knowing dad is off fighting at war can be a difficult concept to grasp... especially for the youngest ones.

"I try to tell her he's coming back but she doesn't understand time so she looks for him right away and then he doesn't come home and you have to be like, well not today," says Summer Robertson, wife of a returning airman. "So she was really excited when I told her today is the day."

Their little girl has been holding a cardboard cutout of dad these five months but now gets to hug the real thing.

"It's hard to be away from family, it's hard to be away from home and the luxuries of home and the things that we're used to," says Summer's husband Sgt. Patrick Robertson. "But at the same time it's a fulfilling mission for us and it's worthwhile."