Airman returns to first duty station on final annual tour before retirement

Master Sgt. Larissa McGee, a supply specialist with the 442d Logistics Readiness Squadron, stops for a selfie in front of the house she lived in 20 years ago while stationed at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England. McGee had the rare opportunity to return to her first duty station as part of her final annual tour before retirement. (Photo courtesy Master Sgt. Larissa McGee)

Airman returns to first duty station on final annual tour before retirement

Master Sgt. Larissa McGee poses with a commemorative flag case containing all of the uniforms she wore during her 24-year Air Force career during her retirement ceremony. McGee had he rare opportunity to return to her first duty station – Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England – as part of her final annual tour before retirement.

Airman returns to first duty station on final annual tour before retirement

Master Sgt. Larissa McGee, a supply specialist with the 442d Logistics Readiness Squadron waits to take off in the back of a C-17 Globemaster II cargo aircraft May 14, 2022, on the flightline at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. McGee returned to her first duty station – Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England – for her final annual tour before retirement. (Photo courtesy Capt. Mike Addis)

24-year round trip: Airman returns to first duty station on final annual tour before retirement

Published June 9, 2022
By Master Sgt. Bob Jennings
442d Fighter Wing Public Affairs

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --

When Master Sgt. Larissa McGee joined the Air Force 24 years ago as a supply specialist, Uncle Sam attached her to the 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England.

Fresh from high school, she didn’t know at the time that the Air Force would turn out to be her career. After three years at Mildenhall, during which she moved throughout the different supply sections, played on the United States Air Forces in Europe softball team, and – most importantly – gave birth to her daughter, McGee returned stateside to Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D.

From there, she bounced back “across the pond” to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, for three years before she had the good fortune to get stationed at Whiteman AFB. Here, she spent the last of her nearly nine years on active duty and then crossed over to the Reserve to spend more time with her family without the active-duty logistics deployment tempo.

McGee worked as a Traditional Reservist for a year, and then spent 12 years as an Air Reserve Technician in both the Maintenance Operations Flight and the LRS. She spent her final three years back on TR status, and looked forward to one final annual tour before retirement.

“It was a bittersweet means to an end,” McGee said “I was always planning to go on the last AT no matter the location. When I found out it was RAF Mildenhall I was beyond excited.” This trip offered her a rare chance to revisit an important part of her life and career.