Politics & Government
A Captain's Homecoming
Bayport resident and mission commander pilot, Capt. Lohmer, returns home after seven months in Afghanistan.
The decorated US Air Force (USAF) Capt. Matthew Lohmer received an honorary citation from the Town of Islip upon his homecoming Friday morning for his courageous efforts serving this country.
Lohmer returned to Long Island after seven months at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. “The worst part was missing family,” Lohmer said. “It's really tough around the holidays, but just missing family in general was the worst part.”
In Afghanistan, Lohmer worked as an MC-12W mission commander pilot. The MC-12W is one of the newest intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircrafts used in the USAF. “We find, fix and finish the bad guys over in Afghanistan,” he said. “In total, I have flown over 300 combat and combat support missions.”
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Here in the US, Lohmer is stationed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey. His main job is flying the KC-10 airplane, focusing in in-flight refueling. “We keep the gas overhead and other aircraft come to us for fuel so they can stay airborne for longer periods of time,” Lohmer said.
Throughout his seven years as a USAF pilot, Lohmer was awarded many medals. These include an Air Medal with 12 Oak Leaf Clusters, an Aerial Acheivement Medal, an Air Force Commendation Medal, a Meritorious Unit Award, an Afghanistan Campaign Medal and a Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.
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Lohmer said he was grateful, but surprised at how many people cared that he returned home. “I was shocked at how many people had come out,” he said. “It was pretty overwhelming seeing so many people coming out to welcome me. I still can't believe the support. Everyone was so kind and happy to see me. It felt great!”
Islip Town’s Hometown Heroes Welcome Program reaches out to soldiers returning home from their deployments. Islip Town Deputy Supervisor Gene Parrington started the program about a year ago to support soldiers for their efforts and wish them a happy homecoming.
Parrington said awarding returning soldiers with a citation and a small homecoming celebration is the least the town could do. As a Vietnam veteran, Parrington said he wished someone did that for him and that’s why he created the Hometown Heroes Welcome Program. “It’s really a great program and it has really grown,” he said.
Lohmer said he appreciated the small ceremony organized by Parrington and MacArthur Airport Communications Director Catherine Green. “I think that the Hometown Heroes program is a wonderful idea,” he said. “I worked so hard overseas for long periods and it was so nice to be recognized for my efforts. I think that anyone serving overseas would love to have a Hometown Heroes welcome.”
Lohmer’s wife Emily agreed. “It was beautiful and so much more than I expected,” she said.
Lohmer said he is looking forward to his time home with his wife. They plan to visit Lohmer’s parents in Texas next month, go to a few Yankee games and try to start a family.