Forty-seven airmen from the 166th Airlift Wing of the Delaware Air National Guard are coming home to their air base in New Castle Friday, Nov. 6 and Sunday, Nov. 8.

They will arrive aboard unit C-130 transport aircraft after serving for a month or longer in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The deployed airmen operate from Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan as part of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing. The wing operates five different aircraft; A-10 Thunderbolt II, C-130 Hercules, EA-6 Prowler, F-15E Strike Eagle and HH-60 Pave Hawk.

The deployed Delaware Air Guard airmen fly and fix unit C-130 transport aircraft to support missions that deliver equipment, supplies and troops by airlift and airdrop to support U.S. and coalition military forces.

The returning Delaware Air Guard contingent is being replaced by another 47 airmen, most of whom left Delaware Oct. 30 and 31 for the same duty location.

“While nearly 60 unit Airmen remain in Afghanistan who continue our required missions in the combat zone, we are happy to have so many airmen on their way home so they can enjoy the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday with their loved ones,” said Col. Jonathan Groff, 166th Airlift Wing Commander.

The 29 Delaware residents are from Newark (10), Wilmington (nine), Middletown (two), Clayton (two) and one each from New Castle, Townsend, Rehoboth Beach, Hockessin, Smyrna and Dover.