24 Hornet and Super Hornet fighters flew into Lemoore Monday as family members on the ground cheered. But for the pilots and their loved ones the wait wasn't over yet. It took more than a half an hour for the jets to touch down and taxi, adding to the anxiety. "My heart was basically beating out of my chest," said Amerine's wife, Jennifer.
Lieutenant Commander Chris Flis was greeted by his wife, Akiko, and his in-laws who are visiting from Tokyo. The last moments were tough for Akiko. She kept busy taking snapshots to mark the occasion. "How do long to I have to wait? I'm glad he's here!," said Akiko.
For Gina Knoll the wait was even longer. Brian knoll's jet was the last on the runway and Gina ran the entire way wearing heels. "Nothing can keep me away from him," said Knoll.
Monday was just the first round of homecomings for Lemoore sailors aboard the U.S.S. Nimitz. Tuesday morning more than 240 support personnel will fly into the air station on air carriers and another 70 will arrive in the evening.
