Photo By Maj. William Carraway | Georgia Army National Guard Soldiers of Company B, 2-245th Aviation Regiment are...... read more read more
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Family members of Georgia Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to Company B, 2-245th Aviation Regiment got an early Christmas present when the unit returned from Afghanistan Thursday. The Marietta, Ga.-based unit, commanded by Maj. Mike Viskup, deployed to Afghanistan March 7, 2017 and flew missions in support of Operation Resolute Support.
Colonel Dwayne Wilson, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 78th Aviation Troop Command addressed family members while awaiting the return of Company B.
“It is an important mission that they do,” said Wilson. “They performed a very specific mission with an air frame unique to that mission. We also appreciate everything you have done to support them.”
Shortly after 5:30 pm, the aircraft carrying the Georgia Guardsmen arrived at the Clay National Guard Center in Marietta. Family members crowded the tarmac hoping to catch a glimpse of their loved ones. The Soldiers emerged from the aircraft but only made it a few steps before a wave of family members embraced them. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Damian Cuttie held daughters Kaia and Mara while Staff Sgt. Oralia Rodriguez contended with a very happy German Shepherd. Parents, spouses and children crowded about the airplane enjoying their first moments together in nine months. Major General Joe Jarrard, Adjutant General of the Georgia Department of Defense and his wife Susan spoke with the Soldiers and family members, thanking them for their service and welcoming them home.
Based at Bagram Air Base south of Kabul, Afghanistan, the Georgia Guardsmen flew passengers and cargo throughout Afghanistan and neighboring countries. They were the only unit in Afghanistan flying the C-26 as part of a transport mission unique to the National Guard. The size and fuel efficiency of the aircraft make it ideal for special transport missions overseas and at home-station.
More than 18,000 Georgia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen have deployed overseas since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Nearly 300 are currently deployed.
| Date Taken: | 12.07.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 12.07.2017 23:31 |
| Story ID: | 257935 |
| Location: | MARIETTA, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 362 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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