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Flyboys return home

Helicopter squad back home from Afghanistan for good

Aug 10, 2011 | By Kevin Ma | St. Albert Gazette

Amber Butler couldn’t wait another second to hug her husband.

About 130 soldiers and family members erupted in cheers Monday afternoon at Canadian Forces Base Edmonton as about 36 members of the 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron came home from Afghanistan. The squad, which makes up the majority of Canada’s helicopter force in Afghanistan, wraps up its last tour in that country this month.

Among those soldiers was Cpl. Ron Butler, a door gunner with the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) regiment. Mere moments after he’d entered the hangar, a purple-clad blur he knew as his wife Amber streaked from the crowd and gave him a big hug.

“I just couldn’t wait any longer,” a smiling Amber said later. “I’m glad I didn’t hit anyone!”...

Much more - and pictures too! - here.