FORT CARSON, Colo. – Families and friends roared with excitement as they gave a standing ovation to 44 Soldiers entering the Special Events Center, Dec. 1, after returning from a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
The 764th Ord. deployed in March and supported the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and the Afghan National Army, during more than 600 explosive ordnance disposal missions.
“Welcome home EOD troopers, glad to have you back, great job, and we’re very, very proud of you; we’re glad you’re home safe and sound,” said Brig. Gen. Darsie Rogers, deputy commanding general for support, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson. “To our families, friends and loved ones here, thank you very much for attending tonight, we couldn’t do this without your love and support.”
The 764th Ord., 242nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion, 71st Ordnance Group (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), soldiers deployed to 11 separate locations in Afghanistan to provide EOD support and training to Afghan National Security Forces.
During their deployment, 764th Ord. safely eliminated 215 improvised explosive devices, conducted 90 post blast analyses, and disposed of approximately 57,000 pounds of unexploded ordnance and homemade explosives.
In addition, the unit trained more than 100 Afghan National Army EOD soldiers.
“It’s good to have everybody home, we left with 44, and we’re bringing 44 people back to their families, and that’s the most important mission of all,” said Capt. Angela Jewett, commander, 764th Ord.
After a few words from Rogers, Jewett released her soldiers, who ran toward the bleachers as their loved ones ran toward the dispersing formation of soldiers.
Now that the unit is home, the soldiers are going to get some well-deserved time off, Jewett said. Once they have a chance to reunite with their families, they’ll get back to training, because it’s what they love to do.