Photo By Staff Sgt. Miko Booth | U.S. Soldiers with the 5 th Battalion, 113th Field Artillery Regiment, pull gear out...... read more read more
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Story by
Staff Sgt Miko M. Booth
130th Military History Detachment
and Staff Sgt. Scott Wilson
382nd Public Affairs Detachment
RALEIGH, N.C. - Hazyl Lang has spent several months perfecting a special act for her father’s return; Aug. 7 was the day he finally saw her walk on her own. The 18 month-old’s father, Sgt. Darron Lang, returned to Raleigh, N.C., from a nearly yearlong deployment to the Egypt-Israel Sinai Peninsula with the North Carolina National Guard’s 5th Battalion, 113th Field Artillery Regiment.
“Hayzl didn’t even have any hair when Darron deployed,” said Darlene Lang, Sgt. Lang’s wife, of the toddler who now sports long, curly blonde locks.
Zoey and Nikki Pia were also present at the homecoming, waiting for Staff Sgt. Chris Pia.
“Zoey was only four months old when Chris deployed,” said Nikki, his wife. “He was able to hear her say ‘da da’ over the phone, but today he gets to hold her when she says it.”
The soldiers of the 5-113th arrived at both the Claude T. Bowers Military Center in Raleigh and the High Point Armory in High Point, N.C., and were greeted by their families and members of the Patriot Guard who lined the streets with American flags and handmade signs. Many North Carolina National Guard members also took time to welcome home their fellow brothers- and sisters-in-arms.
“The unit did an outstanding job in a region of the world that has recently received a lot of exposure for violence and instability,” said Col. Danny Mills, commander of the 60th Troop Command, which oversees the 5-113th. “I am glad everyone made it back safely.”
The 5-113th served as multi-national force observers in the Egypt-Israel Sinai Peninsula region in support of the Camp David Peace Accord of 1979. The 5-113th deviated from their normal duties on the deployment, taking on an observation role rather than a combat-arms role. Along with units from a dozen contingent nations, the soldiers were responsible for observing and reporting actions in violation of the treaty in the Sinai Peninsula.
“We were on guard duty every day,” said Sgt. Jose Chicas, an automated logistical specialist with the 5-113th. “There were no incidents of any violations of the treaty.”
“What our mission did was it afforded other Army units the opportunity to go over and do what they need to do in Afghanistan while we took care of the very important mission of peace in the Middle East,” 1st Sgt. Jay Draeger said. “Not quite as glorious as the other missions we’ve been on, but at the same time it does serve a purpose. The people in the Sinai were very friendly overall and I think they respect the United States presence there and I think that is a positive thing.”
Reports of internal turmoil, riots and violence in Egypt have flooded the American news since early this summer, causing concern for the 5-113th supporters.
“The best part is that everyone who deployed came back home,” said Lt. Col. Jack Midyette, commander of the 5-113. “Not only is it a vital mission, but our Soldiers had exposure in working in unison with various coalition forces, creating not only professional relationships but friendships, and we look forward to keeping in contact with those still on the mission.”
Headquartered in Louisburg, N.C., the 5-113th has armories in Reidsville, High Point, Roxboro, Winston-Salem and Greensboro, N.C. The unit will now participate in post-deployment reintegration training, which includes Yellow Ribbon Events, before returning to regular training duties.
| Date Taken: | 09.07.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 09.09.2013 10:09 |
| Story ID: | 113313 |
| Location: | RALEIGH, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 376 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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