Freedom Flights arrive in Indy

Indiana National Guard Headquarters
Story by Spc. William Henry

Date: 12.04.2008
Posted: 12.04.2008 17:25
News ID: 27201
Freedom Flights arrive in Indy

By Spc. William E. Henry
Indiana Army National Guard

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Indiana National Guard Soldiers returned on two flights from their deployment to Iraq at Indianapolis International Airport on Dec. 1.

Two groups of nine Soldiers with the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team arrived to the sound of family and friends cheering at the Col. Weir Cook terminal.

These Hoosiers were the first groups to arrive in Indianapolis on Freedom Flights that contain fewer numbers of returning Soldiers.

The first flight arrived at around 4:30 p.m. and of those passengers were Sgt. Jennifer Sorg and Staff Sgt. Joseph Sorg Jr., Headquarters and Headquarters Company, a husband and wife duo who deployed together. The couple are from Indianapolis.

"It was great being deployed with my wife," said Joseph. "I got the best of both worlds."

"It was great to interact with the locals. This mission was worthwhile to see how our work affected the local populous," said Joseph about the Iraqi business projects the brigade spearheaded.

Another brigade Soldier, Pfc. Chris Wolf, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, agreed on the association aspect with the people of Iraq. "It was a neat experience to interact with the people of Iraq. Many people in Iraq seemed to appreciate us and what we were doing," he said.

The second flight of Soldiers arrived just after 11 p.m.

New Castle resident Spc. Chad Ayinde, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, said it was fantastic to be home.

"I've been ready to be here. Right here," said Ayinde as he pulled his girlfriend closer.

Soldiers met with family and friends for about an hour before heading to Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center to turn in issued equipment, address medical issues and attend briefings to complete their active-duty mission.