Just in time: Airman returns from overseas minutes before son's birth Published Sept. 2, 2015 By Senior Airman Amanda Morris 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Staff Sgt. Darryal Elliott Jr., 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels mobile distribution NCO in charge, and his wife, Latonya, welcomed their newborn son Aug. 4, at Willis-Knighton Pierremont, Shreveport, La. The couple had been friends for about 10 years before tying the knot. They dated off and on. While Darryal was stationed in South Korea, he decided that he wanted Latonya as his wife. The couple married Nov. 9, 2014, and knew they wanted children right away. Shortly thereafter, Latonya announced she was pregnant. Darryal was TDY overseas for about three weeks while his wife attended regular doctor appointments. On Aug. 3, Latonya went to an appointment and was informed that she had about two weeks before their son was due. Later that night she experienced excessive pain. At her mother's request, she checked into the hospital. By the time she got there, she was already dilated five centimeters. The next morning, Latonya's doctor arrived and informed her that her water had broken and she was in labor. "I was worried since Darryal hadn't arrived, so the doctor gave me something to fall asleep," Latonya said. "We waited as long as we could for my husband to join us." Darryal was boarding a plane on his way home from his TDY when he received a call from Latonya that she was going into labor. "I'm on the plane, wide awake, unable to sleep," said Darryal. "I was thinking 'my goodness, if I don't make it to my child's birth, my wife is going to hate me for the rest of my life.' I just knew it." Once the aircraft landed, Darryal made his way to the front of the plane to be the first person out. He was greeted by Col. Kristin Goodwin, 2nd Bomb Wing commander, who signaled him to rush out of the doors. He started running; about to break red, his superintendent stopped him and waved him over to his vehicle. They hurried to the hospital. He arrived at the hospital and walked into his wife's room right after she received an epidural. "I just thought 'thank God I didn't miss it'," said Darryal. "I was relieved and just tried to do anything I could for my wife." Latonya's nurse walked into the room five minutes after Darryal arrived to tell them their son was ready to be delivered. "He just barely got there," Latonya said. "The baby was already crowning before I was prepped for delivery." The doctor greeted the couple and told Latonya that she needed to start pushing. Five pushes later Darryal Elliott III was born. "He couldn't wait for his due date," said Latonya. "He knew his daddy was coming home."