The VAQ-130 Zappers made their homecoming a memorable one with a six plane formation flyover and a carrier break landing onto Whidbey Island Naval Air Station runway Thursday.

Families watched and waited for the 24 service members’ return after a six month deployment during “Operation Iraqi Freedom.”

The EA-6B Prowlers taxied in one by one. As the crew of Zappers’ Prowler 500 climbed out the plane, commanding officer, Cmdr. Thomas J. Payne, was met by his three children Ryan, Kaitlyn, and Jeffrey.

“This is awesome. I am speechless. I’m just glad to be home. I’m going to go home and decompress,” said Payne.

Lt. Trever Estes, also of Prowler 500, received flowers from his wife Marie and his three children, Hunter, Bella and Jordan. “While Trever was gone, he missed the little things like the kids learning how to ride their bikes and baby teeth falling out,” explained Marie Estes.

Doctor Douglas Langrock and daughter Ella of Oak Harbor waited for the arrival of Lt. Scott Oliver. “My wife and Scott’s wife have been friends for several years. Ella is Scott’s goddaughter. We are all just glad he is home,” Langrock said.

Lt. Cmdr. Renee Finch met her husband, Mike Finch, and his parents at the Zappers’ hangar. “She is the best daughter-in-law we could have ever asked for. We are so proud of her,” Georgene Finch exulted. Lt. Cmdr. Finch has been in the Navy for 13 years. She has been stationed at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station for nine years.

While deployed to the aircraft carrierUSS Harry S. Truman, the squadron flew over Turkey into Northern Iraq. The Zappers flew joint missions with the United States Air Force and Coalition forces. The squadron released a total of 36 HARMs during the mission.

“The best thing about the mission was that everyone returned home safely,” commented Cmdr. Payne.