Photo By Cpl. D. J. Wu | Maj. Omaar Hernandez, air officer, 7th Marines hugs his daughter, Camilla, 7, at...... read more read more
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TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - Families and friends gathered to welcome home their loved ones from a 10-month deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan. More than 100 Marines were embraced by their friends, family and fellow Marines when they arrived Wednesday evening at Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray Field.
The first wave of Marines with RCT-7 came back to the Combat Center after being deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
“We’re just really excited to have them back,” said Marie Hernandez, wife of Maj. Omaar Hernandez, air officer, 7th Marines.
“The Magnificent 7th” was in Afghanistan assisting with the transition of the controlled operation from international NATO forces to the Afghan forces.
The regiment turned over their area of operation to Regional Command Southwest and was the last RCT in charge of the area.
“I think they were well trained and well prepared for their mission,” said Lt. Col. Edward Greeley, executive officer, 7th Marine Regiment (rear). “I’m happy to see them back. I can’t wait until the rest of the main body gets back. It’s always exciting. It’s always a good time to have people come home.”
Approximately half the Marines who deployed with the unit in October returned in this homecoming event. The remaining members, including the regimental commanding officer, Col. Austin E. Renforth, are slated to return to the Combat Center later this month.
“We had about 113 come back on this flight,” said David Plaster, family readiness officer, 7th Marines. “It’s almost half of what we had deployed. We have a contingency of Marines from (3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment) coming in as well.”
The crowd cheered as the buses filled with their loved ones came to a stop in front of the field. The Marines were greeted with a long embrace, a kiss or a simple handshake and a slap on the back.
The Marines that arrived to the Combat Center in this homecoming will eagerly await the arrival of the rest of their unit coming back later this month.
| Date Taken: | 08.09.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 08.10.2013 12:36 |
| Story ID: | 111763 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 120 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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