South Carolina Guard Unit Returns Home

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Kimberly Calkins | Spc. Dustin Peets, 1st Battalion, 178th Field Artillery, Georgetown, S.C. was one of many returning soldiers from Afghanistan, Nov. 7. Soldiers were greeted by the command staff of the 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Charleston, S.C. and the 28th Infantry Division, Harrisburg, Pa.  

CHARLESTON, UNITED STATES

11.07.2010

Story by Staff Sgt. Kimberly Calkins 

218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade

INDIANAPOLIS – The 1st Battalion, 178th Field Artillery, headquarters in Georgetown, S.C., returned to the United States from Afghanistan, Nov. 7.

The 1-178th spent eight months in Afghanistan at Forward Operating Base Metherlom, near Kabul. The battalion’s primary mission as part of a Provincial Reconstruction Team was to provide security for engineers, civil affairs, and medical personnel.

Approximately 800 soldiers returned, to include C Company and D Company, 1st Battalion, 110th Infantry Regiment, Pittsburgh, Pa. and C Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment, Barrigada, Guam. The 1-178th maintained command and control of these units while in Afghanistan.

“The best part was watching their schools being built and kids getting their education,” said Sgt. Kurt Barry, a Spartanburg, S.C. native. “When I was there in 2007-2008 there wasn’t enough schools for the kids to attend.” This is Barry’s second deployment.

Many soldiers are on their second tour to include Sgt. 1st Class Thadious Scott, Security Forces platoon sergeant, who was deployed in Iraq in 2004.

“I’m just happy to be in the U.S.,” said Scott, who will return to his two children in Columbia, S.C.

Multiple flights continued to arrive in the United States as the remaining 1-178th soldiers returned home over the course of November.

• Date Taken: 11.07.2010
• Date Posted: 12.16.2010 10:43
• Story ID: 62102
• Location: CHARLESTON, US