Pilots based at Naval Air Station Lemoore receive a warm welcome home

LEMOORE, Calif. (KFSN) -- After almost six months at sea members of the Naval Air Station Lemoore based VFA 192 Golden Dragons returned home in grand fashion.

Commanding Officer Gerald Tritz said the squadron, comprised of F-18 Super Hornet jets, was conducting presence operations in the pacific, from the South China Sea to the Korean operations area. Their mission, in simple terms-- to reassure American allies in the area.

"Over 200 sailors working their tails off to get the jets up and flying, combat ready all the time. I'll tell you what, we got sailors from all across the country and they're just proud to serve and proud to be here and I couldn't be prouder of them," said Tritz.

The commander said his sailors make enormous sacrifices such as being separated from loved ones. He said the wives of four sailors had babies while they were gone.

"It's fun, I mean, everyone thinks the fly-over is fun, which is cool, but we're just excited to see dad, that's all we really care about," said Jessica Parrish, wife of Navy pilot.

After the jets parked, Parrish and her 13-month-old daughter Molly greeted pilot and Hanford native Nicholas Parrish with hugs and kisses.

"Now she's walking and all sorts of crazy," said Nicholas.

They may be Golden Dragons, but Wednesday, the hue of their homecoming was most certainly red, white, and blue.

"Really proud to be an American, glad to be home; thank you guys for your support while we're away," said Nicholas.