Photo By Sgt. Michael Owens | Louisiana National Guardsman Chief Warrant Officer Three Chad J. Devillier of the...... read more read more
Subscribe
HAMMOND, La. — After a six-month deployment in support of operations for the U.S. Africa Command, Soldiers from the Louisiana Army National Guard's 204th Theater Airfield Operations Group returned home to reunite with loved ones at the Hammond Army Aviation Support Facility, in Hammond, La., May 7.
About 10 Guardsmen assigned to the 204th's Detachment 38, Operational Support Airlift were greeted by Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau, the adjutant general; Command Sgt. Maj. Tommy Caillier, LANG senior enlisted advisor; other LANG members and family and friends.
"It gives me great pleasure to welcome home these fine men and women who have served their state and country with great pride and dignity," Landreneau said. "As a Soldier, I can personally understand the sacrifices that they have made throughout the past six months, and I commend them for accomplishing their mission," the two-star general added.
While Landreneau and Caillier greeted each Guardsman and thanked them for their honorable service, family and friends waited anxiously to shower their loved-ones with hugs and kisses.
According to the Soldiers, being away from family and friends forced the Guardsmen to focus more on their missions, which included supporting humanitarian and region stabilization efforts in support of the Combined Task Force-Horn of Africa. The Horn of Africa includes the countries of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and Comoros.
.
"When you're away from home, the biggest obstacle is missing everyone who you left behind," said Chief Warrant Officer Five Kevin P. Dares, Det. 38 commander. "I feel that we kept each other occupied and comforted in order to fully accomplish our mission," he added.
During the deployment, Det. 38 executed more than 433 missions and accumulated more than 600 flight hours, while transporting approximately 500 passengers and 19,000 pounds of cargo via the C-12 Huron passenger aircraft. Det. 38, which was the first LANG and C-12 unit to deploy to the Horn of Africa, completed 100 percent of assigned missions.
"We completed every mission that was assigned to us," Dares explained. "That is uncommon in an aviation unit because the smallest thing, like a pilot getting sick, can cause a mission not to go out. I am extremely proud of the group for a job well done and for leaving a positive imprint of Louisiana in Africa. The command staff was sad to see us go," added the Slidell, La., native.
As with every LANG unit to deploy and return, the adjutant general praised the great work of these Troops.
"Our Guardsmen work hard everyday to serve their country and they continue to make me proud on a daily basis," Landreneau stressed.
| Date Taken: | 05.07.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 05.08.2009 09:37 |
| Story ID: | 33380 |
| Location: | HAMMOND, US |
| Web Views: | 386 |
| Downloads: | 323 |
This work, Louisiana Guardsmen return home after Africa deployment, by SGT Michael Owens, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT