RCT-1 comes home to heroes’ welcome

Photo By Sgt. Timothy Lenzo | The colors are retired as Col. David J. Furness, commanding officer, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division, salutes while eager families and friends wait for the Marines to be dismissed, Sept. 2. Furness was in command of RCT-1 the entire year they were deployed to Afghanistan and oversaw the day-to-day operations. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Timothy J. Lenzo)  

CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES

09.02.2011

Courtesy Story

1st Marine Division

By Lance Cpl. Timothy J. Lenzo

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – There were families and friends of Marines waiting anxiously all morning. The games set up for the children and the smell of barbecue did little to mask the anticipation of Marines returning home.

The day soon turned to smiles and hugs as the Marines with Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division, returned after a yearlong deployment Sept. 2.

Regimental Combat Team 1’s mission in Afghanistan was to train and develop Afghan National Security Forces, conduct counter-insurgency operations and develop a self-sufficient ruling body in several districts in Afghanistan.

While deployed, RCT-1 oversaw increased safety in the districts and increased responsibility for the local security force.

“Significant enemy activity decreased by 85 percent, improvised explosive device events decreased by well over 65 percent,” said Furness. “We had an impact on the daily security for most of the population.”

Now that the Marines have returned home, they can rest after a year of being away from their loved ones.

“The only thing I missed were my kids and my wife,” said Staff Sgt. Aaron Doughty, communications chief, RCT-1.

Doughty’s wife, who reunited with him at the homecoming, said the feeling was mutual.

“It was very hard to watch my children want their father, and knowing that he’s not there,” said Francis Doughty.

The Marines were able to communicate at times with their families while deployed through satellite phones or over the Internet.

But for the families, nothing can replace spending time with each other.

Doughty said he wants to make up for the year away by spending as much time as possible with his family, doing the things they love.

“It’s good to be greeted so warmly by so many people. It’s good to see the reunion of the Marines, who worked so hard, meet their families and be so happy,” said Furness.

Furness said the Marines of RCT-1 worked hard while deployed, staying focused on the task at hand. He told the Marines to be “extremely proud” of the work they’ve done.

“They’ve accomplished an awful lot in the year they were deployed,” said Furness.

For the Marines with RCT-1, the days after the deployment should be filled with families, friends and fun, a reward for a year away and hard work.

“I’m really happy to be home,” said Doughty.

• Date Taken: 09.02.2011
• Date Posted: 09.19.2011 18:50
• Story ID: 77270
• Location: CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US