FORT BLISS, Texas – The second group of soldiers from the 200th Military Police Company, Maryland Army National Guard, first set foot on United States soil, March 18, at the Fort Bliss Arrival/Departure Air Control Group after completing a tour in Afghanistan.
The 200th MP Company conducted detainee operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. This group will reunite with the rest of their unit in Catonsville, Md., after completing the demobilization process, here.
It was a first-time deployment for Spc. Katie Collins from Waldorf, Md. who plans to attend the police academy for Charles County in her hometown.
“I’m ready to be home. We made some strong bonds with people, we made a lot of life-long friends, so it was pretty cool,” said Collins.
Staff Sgt. Jennifer Williams, a native of Shreveport, La., was filled with excitement as soon as the plane touched the ground.
“I wanted to cry when I came off the plane, so the first thing I did was pick up my phone and text my husband and my kids,” said Williams.
According to Williams, success is measured by bringing everyone home safe and sound.
“It was very successful,” said Williams. “All our guys had high morale the whole time we were there. Every mission that we had, we were in several different locations across Afghanistan and we accomplished what they asked us to accomplish and we got lots of kudos while we were over there as well.”
According to Williams, the high morale was contributed to the care packages received by family and friends. Over 200 Christmas cards were read and appreciated by the soldiers of the 200th MP Company.
“I just can’t put into words how much it meant to us to get those things from the folks back home,” said Williams. “It means a lot to know that people back home haven’t forgotten after we’ve have been there for so many years and people still support what we are doing over there, so, I really, really appreciate it. Everybody in the unit really does.”