Louisiana Guardsmen return home from deployment to Shreveport

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Scott Longstreet | Spc. Jaime Wadsworth of Shreveport, La., is joined by his wife Ginny, 11- year-old daughter Riley and 9-month-old daughter Aubrey at their homecoming celebration. Members of the Louisiana National Guard's 1083rd Transportation Company were greeted by family and friends at the homecoming at the Shreveport Regional Airport in Shreveport, La. The 1083rd returned from a year-long deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  

SHREVEPORT, UNITED STATES

05.22.2010

Story by Spc. Scott Longstreet 

Louisiana National Guard

SHREVEPORT, La. – After a year-long deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Soldiers from the Louisiana National Guard's 1083rd Transportation Company returned home Saturday, May 22, 2010, to reunite with loved-ones at the Shreveport Regional Airport in Shreveport, La.

"He has not yet seen his daughter," said Ginny Wadsworth, wife of Spc. Jaime Wadsworth. "It has been quite a challenge with him being away and to finally see Aubrey will be incredible."

"I am beyond words," Spc. Wadsworth said after finally seeing his daughter. "I am so glad to see her and my family. It was hard to not be able to see her but now that I am home, I am very excited and overjoyed."

Eleven-year-old Riley Wadsworth joined both her nine month old sister, Aubrey, and her mother in the celebration of welcoming their dad home.

"I will be screaming for him when I see him and hug him when he gets here," Riley said. "We are going to eat crawfish after he gets here."

Approximately 162 Guardsmen were greeted by Brig. Gen. Glenn Curtis, State Command Sgt. Maj. Tommy Caillier, and other local officials as they stepped off the plane to a crowd of cheering family and friends.

Pfc. Donald Monteleone of Metairie, La., was also one of the Soldiers returning. He quickly joined his wife Kendall and three daughters as soon as he stepped off the plane.

"We are so happy to have him home," said Kendall. "It was quite a chore with three daughters to take care of by myself. We are going to go to New York for our anniversary and much needed time together in three weeks."

Although away from family and friends, these Guardsmen focused on their jobs and relied heavily on fellow unit members.

"Our mission was to provide transport capabilities in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as part of the draw-down effort," said 1st Lt. Reginald Davis, executive officer for the 1083rd. "The withdrawal was considered one of the largest movements of manpower and equipment in our
modern military history, and we were at the forefront of making that happen. Our company led
the way in missions and mileage while in country, as we traveled over 1.7 million miles during the mission."

• Date Taken: 05.22.2010
• Date Posted: 05.23.2010 17:57
• Story ID: 50134
• Location: SHREVEPORT, US