Local soldier returns home from Afghanistan

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - A U.S. Army soldier and University of South Alabama student who served in Afghanistan is back home Sunday night.

Just hours after leaving Anchorage, Ak., Fairhope high alum, Bradley Allen, was back home in Mobile.  Allen flew home and, after several stops and some delays, arrived in South Alabama where his mom waited to greet him.

"Anticipation of seeing him ... it's been since last year, so I'm real excited," said Allen's mother, Donna Willingham of Spanish Fort.

Allen's been back on U. S. soil for the past six months, mentally and physically separating himself from a war thousands of miles away.

"He would try to let me know I'm going out, I'll call you when I get back.  I was able to keep up with him that way," said Willingham.

Allen's tour in Afghanistan lasted six months. During that time, his mom would keep strong for her youngest son through her faith.

 "A lot of prayer; I would just call my prayer partners and say he's going out on a mission we need to keep him in our prayers ... And ask God to put his wings around him and keep him, you know the angels wings to keep him safe for me," said Willingham.

His flight from Atlanta, Ga. to Mobile on Delta Airlines was delayed by 45 minutes; his mother remained patient as she gazed out airport windows onto the steamy tarmac below.

Finally, an announcement rings across the airport through the PA system: Delta flight 58-89 from Atlanta has arrived. Willingham and her husband waited at the gate. Other exiting passengers greeted welcoming friends and family.

"There he is," said Willingham.

Allen, a tall man in his twenties with close-cut hair, emerged from the mass of exiting passengers. The hugging began.

"There's not even words to describe it ... I'm happy, I'm happy," said 25-year-old Bradley Allen.

Allen says he’s at ease being back in the United States.

"Relief really, relief from being over there, you don't have to worry as much ... don't have to be on guard as often, it's a nice stress reliever for sure," said Allen.

He can't talk about the missions he went on in Afghanistan, he can say that the some people didn't want U. S. troops meddling with their culture.

"They really just stare at you ... you've got a lot of them that will come talk to you, but it's definitely different. They know a few words actually and they don't really care for us that much but a lot of them see that we do try to help," said Allen.

Allen says U.S. soldiers keep their minds on the bigger picture while on duty in Afghanistan — training the Afghani military and police to help the country become self-sufficient. Allen is happy with the work that has been accomplished so far.

He said, "It’s job satisfaction for sure."

Now that he's home though, Allen is ready to move on with his life. He said his next move is to finish his degree at the University of South Alabama and work in civil engineering.