Liberty Wing Airmen Return from Afghanistan Published May 13, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Nathan Gallahan 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- More than 350 Airmen from the 492nd Fighter Squadron and 48th Fighter Wing returned this week after a four month deployment supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. The Airmen supported OEF from Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. During the deployment, the F-15E Strike Eagles flew more than 7,500 hours and set a one-day record for the number of F-15 flying combat hours at 104.4 hours. "It was a successful deployment," said Chief Master Sgt. Russell Hastings, who deployed to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing as the maintenance superintendant. "We protected about 220 convoys, did a lot of good things for coalition forces, protected the good guys... it was very successful." That success came at a price, with all of the Airmen leaving the comforts of the United Kingdom, and a lot of them leaving their families behind - including Airman 1st Class Kellyn Harris, who was deployed as a non-destructive inspection apprentice with the 455th AEW. He had to leave his two-month-old daughter at home when he deployed in January, but the family kept their heads up. "[Having my husband deployed] was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be," said Amanda Harris. "I just missed being with him, laying up on the couch and the affection." "[The deployment] was nice," Airman Harris said while holding his daughter. "I like being in the 492nd [Fighter Squadron], I like being in maintenance. I've never missed Lakenheath so much, I love Lakenheath."