Santa got to work early this year, granting lots of Christmas wishes for Navy personnel and families from two squadrons at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

Patrol Squadron (VP) 40 and Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141 had homecoming celebrations last week.

The final airlift for VP-40 personnel returned to Hangar 6 Wednesday, Dec. 7. The Fighting Marlins deployed to Okinawa, Japan on May 12, and spent the last six months demonstrating their expertise in anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

While Navy personnel were obviously busy doing their jobs during their deployment, the same was true of the families left behind.

“It’s been really busy,” said Victoria Propes, wife of Naval Aircrewman (Mechanical) Second Class Ben Propes. The couple has two daughters — Autumn, 3, and Summer, 2.

“Grocery shopping was probably the hardest,” Propes laughed when asked about the most difficult thing she encountered during the six months as a single parent.

“The (separation) was easier because with Skype now, they get to see him and talk to him,” she continued.

But even with the convenience of Skype, time away is still time away and deployed parents miss special events whether they like it or not.

“She missed our son’s birthday,” said Orlando Franco, who was there with 4-year-old Diego, awaiting the arrival of Aviation Machinist’s Mate Second Class, Thalia Franco. “She misses him a lot. It will be nice for her to be home in time for Christmas.”

BethAnn Adams and her children, Anastasia, 5, and Nolan, 4, were happily waiting for the return of Lt. Cmdr. Jeremiah Adams. Adams said she was most looking forward to just spending time together as a family.

“(The children) are old enough now to know that Daddy’s gone. It’s hard,” she said.

Lt. Cmdr. Adams barely set foot on the tarmac before his children threw their arms around him, no shyness evident in their exuberant greeting.

Shadowhawks come home

That scene was repeated over and over Thursday, as the entire contingent of Shadowhawks from VAQ-141 came

home following a seven-month deployment on the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 72). The Shadowhawks were the first squadron to deploy on an aircraft carrier with the EA-18G Growler.

The homecoming event was doubly festive, as the jets arrived at approximately 4 p.m., followed shortly after that by the airlift for maintenance personnel and 10 members of the Sea Operational Detachment from Fleet Readiness Center Northwest who also provide technical support.

Deployments are becoming second nature to Samantha Jackson, whose husband, Aviation Structural Mechanic (Equipment) First Class Jacob Jackson, has deployed five times in 11 years. Jackson said a newly formed Family Readiness Group within the squadron proved to be very helpful.

“Having a group of people who are going through the same thing you are is so comforting,” said Jackson, who is the president of the FRG. “It helps keep you strong.”

“It keeps you busy, too,” agreed FRG vice president Crystal Foster, wife of Aviation Ordnanceman First Class Phillip Foster. Both women said this was the first time either of them had become involved in a group like the FRG, and said it made the time go even faster than normal and helped them establish bonds with more of the Shadowhawk families.

Also on hand for the homecoming were the commanding officer’s mother and sister, who traveled from Illinois and California, respectively, to watch the jets fly in. It was the first time they had been to a homecoming.

“He worked hard to get where he is,” said Jean Miller of her son, Cmdr. Michael Miller. “This is something he’s always wanted to do.”

“He loves his job,” said Ann Miller. “I envy him that.”

Over the past seven months, the squadron flew 237 missions and 673 carrier-based training flights for more than 2,300 mishap-free flight hours. Those results earned 16 Air Medals for aircrews, according to a press release.

But thoughts of a job well done were quickly replaced for many, such as Lt. Adam Kouloumoundras, whose wife Cathy greeted him with an extra special gift — the first look at his 10-week-old son, Noah.

It was the last homecoming for Frances Dennis, whose husband, Aviation Electronics Technician Second Class Steven Dennis, with SEAOPDET, will be retiring after 20 years in the Navy. After four deployments, she said she was getting a little concerned this time.

“I was worried we’d have to do our first Christmas without him,” Dennis said, “so we’re excited.”