New Jersey infantry unit returns from Bahrain

Photo By Adam Holguin | Col. Ed Chrystal, brigade commander, 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, welcomes back Soldiers assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion 113th Infantry Regiment, New Jersey Army National Guard. The unit completed a nine-month mission in Bahrain and will complete the demobilization process at Fort Bliss before returning home to New Jersey.  

FORT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES

06.18.2015

Story by Adam Holguin 

Mobilization and Deployment, DPTMS Fort Bliss

FORT BLISS, Texas - Company A, 2nd Battalion, 113th Infantry Regiment, New Jersey Army National Guard, arrived stateside June 11, after completing a nine-month deployment to Bahrain. The unit arrived at the Silas L. Copeland Arrival/Departure Air Control Group airfield and will complete the demobilization process at Fort Bliss before returning to the Garden State.

Col. Ed Chrystal, brigade commander, 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, came to Fort Bliss to welcome back one of his units.

“I came down to greet the soldiers coming off the plane, they did a year in Bahrain and we are happy to get them back,” said Chrystal. “They had a lot of opportunities to do some advanced training while they were out there, so it was a good one. We are very proud of everything they did and I know they are excited to get back to their families.”

Given the mission and location, this deployment was truly a joint forces effort.

“We worked for Naval Forces Central Command but we were in multi-tenant host nation facility, a dynamic expeditionary environment. Working with the core Army missions, core Marine Corps missions and the Navy in support of their baseline operations and (Operations Enduring Freedom and) Inherent Resolve,” said Capt. Patrick Moore, commander, Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 113th Infantry Regiment.

The primary focus of the mission was to provide security forces and safety to over 1,800 Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen.

“We were doing site force security for the whole base. Just doing entry control point, quick reaction force, and handling the people that were coming in and out of the base,” said Sgt. Alberto Rodriguez, team leader, 3rd squad 3rd platoon, Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 113th Infantry Regiment.

The unique joint services setting did allow for all branches to connect, interact, and learn from each other.

“The best thing was to go into the galley of the (dining facility) and see guys sitting in little pods and see three uniform types,” said Moore, “we were all there together, a single service.”

One goal that many Soldiers in the unit were as able to accomplish in addition to the mission was the focus on continued professional development.

“We had 16 soldiers that had the opportunity to go to the United States Marine Corps Corporals course,” said Moore, “we sent 24 guys to courses run by Naval Criminal Investigative Service. There was a lot of cross training.”

This deployment allowed many in the unit to grow as Soldiers, as well as gain a camaraderie with their battle buddies. Rodriguez, who deployed as a Specialist, attended the Warriors Leadership Course and the USMC Corporals Course prior to being promoted. The deployment will have a lasting impact on his outlook moving forward.

“It was good to meet new people, to get to know them while we were out there, to see how you can have a family besides the family you are born into,” said Rodriguez. “Overall it was a positive deployment, a good experience and I can’t wait to do it again.”

• Date Taken: 06.18.2015
• Date Posted: 06.18.2015 15:45
• Story ID: 167177
• Location: FORT BLISS, TX, US
• Hometown: JERSEY CITY, NJ, US
• Hometown: NEWARK, NJ, US
• Hometown: RIVERDALE, NJ, US