TAMPA, Fla. — Nearly 20,000 American citizens have returned to the U.S. from the Middle East since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28.
On Thursday, one Tampa native was finally able to make his safe return to Tampa International Airport.
What You Need To Know
Tampa resident Cody Greene was in Dubai when the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28
Initially, he wasn’t able to find a flight home, but finally arrived back to Tampa on Thursday
Greene said it was a challenge getting home after flights kept getting canceled
State Department has established a crisis intake form for American citizens who are in the Middle East
In the warm embrace of loved ones, Cody Greene said he was happy to be back home, a moment he longed for since the conflict started.
“They kept you very safe, but you know whenever you’re in a country going through that, a lot of things go through your mind,” Greene said. “It might be a little unrealistic, but the worst-case scenario kind of creeps in.”
Greene, like thousands of other Americans, was stuck in the Middle East looking for a way back home after traveling to Dubai for a work conference.
“I got there at the worse possible moment,” he said.
After several canceled flights, Greene finally managed to board a plane back home. He said his goal was to get back to celebrate his son’s first birthday this weekend.
His wife, Olivia, said it was a long wait, but she’s happy to have him home.
“Grateful,” she said. “And I really anticipated this day — we’re really happy that he’s finally home.”
Greene said it was a constant battle to get back home, and that the experience has changed him.
“It’s a major change of perspective for me after what I went through,” he said. “Just to have my family and friends with me, and my own bed, looking forward to having a night of sleep for one night.”
The State Department has established a crisis intake form for American citizens in the Middle East that provides information on upcoming flights and ground transportation options.