Family members and shipmates held up signs and cheered for aircrewmen returning from deployment marking the return home for the final group to deploy from U.S. Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Misawa April 4.

As NIOC Misawa prepares to cease operations later this year, the command commemorated the Sailors' return with a surprise welcome home.

"We really wanted to do something simple but special for the people returning, and also as a send-off for the mission in Japan. I am proud to be a part of this legacy," said Lt. Ronnie Alagona, NIOC Misawa's air operations officer and an aircrewman.

Standing in front of the Naval Air Facility (NAF) terminal, almost 30 Sailors and family members waited for their loved ones to deplane. Many held homemade signs or used noise makers. Two Sailors proudly displayed a large, Navy blue banner with "Last of the Misawans 1991-2015" written in gold.

One of the arriving Sailors, CTI1 Dustin Mabe, was greeted by his wife and four children. "It's great to see everyone coming out to be a part of this. We've been doing this for so long, it's wild to think that it's over," said Mabe.

Active in the 1960s at Naval Security Group Activity (NSGA) Kamiseya, the air mission was relocated to Naval Security Group Detachment (NSGD) Atsugi on July 9, 1971, and finally moved to Misawa in 1991.

Since inception, it has provided Navy airborne cryptologic support to commanders throughout both the Pacific and Central Command areas of responsibility.

On May 1, 2014, NIOC Misawa handed over administration of the airborne mission to NIOC Hawaii and NIOC Whidbey Island. Following disestablishment on Oct. 1, 2014, the command was aligned under NIOC Yokosuka.

Until the final welcoming ceremony, Misawa-based aircrewmen had continuously provided mission support to the fleet for almost 25 years.

For more news from Naval Air Facility Misawa, Japan, visit www.navy.mil/.