Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th

(e.g. yourname@email.com)

Forgot Password?

    Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Logo

    FA unit returns home, completes OEF mission

    FA unit returns home, completes OEF mission

    Photo By Amabilia Payen | Soldiers assigned to Battery B, 1st Battalion, 158th Field Artillery Regiment listen...... read more read more

    FORT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES

    12.29.2014

    Story by Amabilia Payen 

    Mobilization and Deployment, DPTMS Fort Bliss

    FORT BLISS, Texas – Battery B, 1st Battalion, 158th Field Artillery Regiment, U.S. Army National Guard, returned to the U.S. at the Silas L. Copeland Arrival/Departure Air Control Group airfield, Dec. 29, 2014, after completing various missions in Afghanistan as part of the final operations in closing down Operation Enduring Freedom.

    The Oklahoma-based unit conducted missions from field artillery to personal security for dignitaries. Their most prominent stay was at Oqab, a forward operating base near Kabul Airport, Afghanistan.

    “The troops did well, considering a lot of unexpected changes,” said Sgt. 1st Class Greg Morris, field artilleryman, Btry B., 1st Bn., 158th FA Regt. “We filled in slots as needed and people did jobs that they weren’t necessarily our (military occupational specialty). We didn’t truly train for it, but we had enough experience with the senior leadership that had experience in those areas so we were able to take on those jobs.”

    While in transit toward Fort Bliss, the Soldiers of Btry B., 1st Bn., 158th FA Regt. spent Christmas Day in Romania.

    “We had a really nice dinner there at the air base,” said Morris. “They were prepared to provide that for the Airmen and Marines stationed there. I’ve never spent Christmas in Romania, and probably none of us ever had, so now we can say we did.”

    The battery will now focus on demobilization through the Mobilization and Deployment branch of the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security.

    “We know we are not going to be home before New Year’s Day, but of course we want everyone to be taken care of,” said Morris. “We have guys going back to their civilian careers and to ensure that they don’t have any problems when they return, we won’t rush through this. Everything will be thorough.”

    Btry B., 1st Bn., 158th FA Regt. completed the demobilization process and returned to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, via bus on Jan. 8.

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 12.29.2014
    Date Posted: 01.15.2015 10:58
    Story ID: 152051
    Location: FORT BLISS, TX, US
    Hometown: FORT BLISS, TX, US
    Hometown: FORT SILL, OK, US

    Web Views: 284
    Downloads: 1

    PUBLIC DOMAIN