Aviano welcomes home AEF 5/6 Published June 1, 2007 By Senior Airman Sarah Gregory 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs Aviano Air Base, Italy -- Nearly 260 Aerospace Expeditionary Force 5/6 deployers were treated to a happy reunion with family members, friends and co-workers at Hangar One Wednesday. "The homecoming is truly a base-wide event complete with laughter, tears and heartfelt welcomes and thank yous," said Barbara Wolcott, Airman and Family Readiness Flight director. A large-scale return such as this one takes effort from multiple base agencies and organizations. When groups of 20 or more Airmen return at once, the A&FRF hosts mass reintegration briefings allowing the troops to complete their inprocessing at one time. The returning members will begin reintegrating Monday, leaving them the weekend to spend time getting reacquainted with family and friends. "The format has been adapted USAFE wide and is designed to reunite returning members with their families as soon as possible," said Ms. Wolcott. "When members exit the plane, they deposit their medical folder, pick up their baggage and head home with their family and friends with no delay." To help with the reintegration process, the Aviano base chapel and the A&FRF are hosting a marriage enrichment retreat in Slovenia June 14 to 17. The retreat is designed specifically for couples with a spouse returning from a deployment. For more information or to sign up, call the chapel at Ext. 5211. Spouses and returning members can also share their deployment experiences with other families at the next deployed spouses meal. The next deployed spouses meal is Thursday. Call the A&FRF at Ext. 5407 to reserve a spot.