The Woodbridge neighborhood in Sachse and Wylie turned out in force last night to welcome home Petty Officer 2nd Class Garrett Smith-Lindsey from his service with VAW-126 Seahawks on the U.S.S. Harry Truman.
Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE TWO SIX (VAW-126), nicknamed the SEAHAWKS, is an integral part of the tactical air forces of the United States Navy. VAW-126 is one of six Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadrons based in Norfolk. Equipped with four E-2C “Group II” aircraft, the squadron’s primary mission is on-scene airborne command and control for the Joint Warfare Commander. VAW-126 implements command and control through diverse operations such as fighter intercept and air strike control, ocean surveillance, search and rescue coordination, airborne battle-space management, and dynamic strike control.
On May 20th, 2010, the SEAHAWKS deployed onboard the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75), in support of Operations NEW DAWN and ENDURING FREEDOM. VAW-126 deployed for seven months supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. FIFTH FLEET area of responsibility. This deployment included sustained operations over Iraq and Afghanistan in support of Army, Marine Corps, and coalition personnel on the ground. The SEAHAWKS enjoyed port visits in Marseilles, Dubai, Bahrain, and Souda Bay. Before stopping in Marseilles, the SEAHAWKS hosted French E-2C Hawkeyes for a day of carrier launch and recovery operations. The SEAHAWKS conducted 324 combat sorties accumulating over 1,520 flight hours in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and NEW DAWN and were an integral part of CARRIER AIR WING THREE (CVW 3). The 
SEAHAWKS returned home on December 20th, 2010, concluding another successful combat deployment. They earned the CNAL Battle “E” Efficiency Award for FY 2010, the RADM Akers AEW Excellence Award for CY 2010, and the Safety “S” for CY 2010.Since December of 2010, the SEAHAWKS transitioned from the E-2C Hawkeye 2000 aircraft to the E-2C+ Group II aircraft. VAW-126 has maintained their battle readiness with CARRIER AIRWING THREE and CARRIER STRIKE GROUP TEN in preparation for the support of overseas operations wherever and whenever they were called.
Last night, no one was talking about ships or planes or deployments… The crowd of over 300 residents turned out to help Garrett Smith-Lindsey’s family welcome this local hero home. Garrett is an Eagle Scout and graduated from Wylie High School in 2008. He enlisted in 2007 and served from 2008 to 2013. His family has not seen him in over two years but that was remedied last night when a Sachse Police and motorcycle escort intercepted him at the Sachse city limits led him through streets lined with flag waving neighbors excited to see him reunited with his family.
This welcome home party was orchestrated by Sachse Mayor Pro Tem Bill Adams and Garrett’s mom Lori Lindsey. Using the Woodbridge Facebook page to get the word out, Bill Adams and Lori Lindsey kept the neighborhood up to date on the Garrett’s movements as he made his way from Norfolk, VA back to Sachse, TX. Garrett made several changes to his travel plans but that only served to heighten the anticipation felt by the neighborhood. Once he hit the Texas border, Lori Lindsey was GPS tracking every movement of her son on her smart phone with the help of Garrett’s best friend, Tommy Bouk, who had flown to Norfolk, VA to help with the drive home. When the flashing lights of the police car and the rumble of the motorcycle escort turned the corner and headed down Clubhouse Drive Lori and Jimmy Lindsey could hardly contain the emotion of their son returning safely home.
Welcome Home Garrett
and
Thank You for Your Service to Our Country!!!
http://youtu.be/lyn86hhOF7k
Related articles
- USS Harry S. Truman Arrives in Marseille, France (h16613.com)
- Watch the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group Leave Port (themoderatevoice.com)
- Photos: The USS Harry S. Truman on deployment (wtkr.com)
- Picture Of The Day (warnewsupdates.blogspot.com)
