CHINA LAKE, Calif. – Lt. Cmdr. Al "Shank" Prebula recently returned to Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) Air Test and Evaluation squadron (VX) 31, after serving 12 months in Afghanistan.

Surrounded by the friends he left behind a year ago, Prebula stated, “It’s nice to be welcomed home by my squadron mates -- it will be nice to be home.”

Prebula served as an Air Liaison Officer (ALO), where he coordinated close air support missions for the U.S. Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade combat team as their Navy ALO. Following his demobilization, Prebula will spend a few weeks re-qualifying in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet at VFA-106 before returning to flight test duties with VX-31.