Soldiers Return to Crisp Air

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Tina Eichenour | Approximately 300 Soldiers from Indiana Army National Guard are welcomed by the crisp cool air shortly after 5 a.m., Nov. 28. The Soldiers return from a nine-month deployment in Iraq with the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.  

INDIANAPOLIS, IN, UNITED STATES

11.29.2008

Story by Staff Sgt. Tina Eichenour 

Indiana National Guard Headquarters

By Staff Sgt. Tina R. Griffin
120th Public Affairs Detachment

INDIANAPOLIS – Crisp cool morning air blew into the faces of approximately 300 Indiana National Guardsmen as they were exiting the plane. They returned around 5 a.m., Nov. 28, from a nine-month deployment in Iraq with the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

The Soldiers are with Company B, 76th Special Troops Battalion based in Indianapolis; Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 76th Special Troops Battalion also based in Indianapolis; Company A, 1st Battalion, 293rd Infantry based in Warsaw, Ind.; and Company A, 1st Battalion, 151st Infantry based in Linton, Ind.

Company B Soldiers executed more than 200 convoy security missions with over 20 enemy engagements.

Soldiers of the HHC supported the command and control aspect of the missions carried out by Soldiers of the 76th IBCT.

"I thought the mission went well," said Sgt. Brian Marley, an assistant convoy commander, from Company A 1st Battalion, 293rd Infantry. "We had training at the company level."

Company A, 151st Soldiers completed a total of 210 combat logistics patrols transporting more than 7,800 foreign national loads and 3,800 contractor and U.S. military loads across Iraq.

"Mission went very well," said Msg. Robert Stevens, the second platoon sergeant for Company A, 151st. "We moved several tons of supply with zero casualties."

The Guardsmen were transported to Stout Field, where they were greeted by approximately 1000 loved ones cheering and holding banners. They were able to spend an hour with their families and friends.

"The great smell of the crisp Indiana air; it's great to be home," said Marley.

• Date Taken: 11.29.2008
• Date Posted: 11.29.2008 16:47
• Story ID: 26950
• Location: INDIANAPOLIS, IN, US