Maxwell Airman returns from deployment, surprises family

Military Youth Kamryn Phillips throws the first pitch to kick start the Montgomery Biscuits baseball game at the Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium July 30, 2015, in Montgomery, Alabama. After throwing the pitch, the catcher revealed himself to be Kamryn’s father, Tech. Sgt. Gabriel Phillips, Air Force Officer Training School, 22nd Training Squadron physical conditioning instructor, home from deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexa Culbert)

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Maxwell Airman returns from deployment, surprises family

Tech. Sgt. Gabriel Phillips, Air Force Officer Training School, 22nd Training Squadron physical conditioning instructor, embraces his son, Kamryn, for the first time since returning from his six-month deployment July 30, 2015, in Montgomery, Alabama. Kamryn threw the first pitch to kick start the game at Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium and was surprised to find that the catcher was his dad. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexa Culbert)

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Maxwell Airman returns from deployment, surprises family

Published Aug. 11, 2015
By By Airman 1st Class Alexa Culbert
42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala -- Military youth Kamryn Phillips, received a big surprise during his throwing of the first pitch at the Montgomery Biscuits baseball game July 30, 2015, at the Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium when his father unveiled himself to be the catcher .

Tech. Sgt. Gabriel Phillips, 22nd Training Squadron physical conditioning instructor at Air Force Officer Training School, had just returned home after his six-month deployment.

The public reunion was organized mid-way through Phillip's deployment when his wife, Tiffany, received a proposal for the event from the Airman and Family Readiness Center.

"My husband has been deployed for 187 days and we have been anticipating his return, and we decided to go along with it; we knew it would be great for our son," said Tiffany.

However, Kamryn thought it was just another day at the stadium and had no idea that his father would be there waiting for him.

"Well, I was kind of hanging with my friends and my mom said, 'Let's go out to the Biscuits game,' so I went with her, and I was surprised because of my dad," said Kamryn.

Kamryn said he was happy, excited and totally surprised to see his dad standing there on home plate and plans on going to the pool and doing other fun stuff with him now that he's home.

"I had a lot of emotions running through my head. I was anxious to see what his reaction was going to be," said Gabriel. "I'm happy and overwhelmed. I'm just glad to be back."