Soldiers return to America after a yearlong deployment overseas

Photo By Master Sgt. Becky Vanshur | Throughout the days and nights of Oct. 24th through Oct. 26th, 2022, four planes full of National Guard Soldiers arrived at Fort Bliss, Texas, after a yearlong deployment overseas. Leadership from Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Florida, shook the hands of more than 1,000 Soldiers to welcome them home upon their arrival. The majority of the Soldiers are from the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team headquartered in Boise, Idaho, with components in Montana, Nevada and Oregon. Soldiers from the Florida National Guard joined the deployment as an augmentation. The Soldiers returned home from Southwest Asia in support of Operation Spartan Shield and were part of Task Force Griz, which deployed last November. (U.S. National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Becky Vanshur)  

FORT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES

10.26.2022

Story by Master Sgt. Becky Vanshur 

Idaho Army National Guard

Throughout the days and nights of Oct. 24th through Oct. 26th, four planes full of National Guard Soldiers arrived at Fort Bliss, Texas, after a yearlong deployment overseas. Leadership from Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Florida, shook the hands of more than 1,000 Soldiers to welcome them home upon their arrival. The majority of the Soldiers are from the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team headquartered in Boise, Idaho, with components in Montana, Nevada and Oregon.

Soldiers from the Florida National Guard joined the deployment as an augmentation. The Soldiers returned home from Southwest Asia in support of Operation Spartan Shield and were part of Task Force Griz, which deployed last November.

“I am extremely honored to greet these great Americans as they return from their yearlong deployment,” said Idaho’s Army National Guard commander, Brig. Gen. Farin Schwartz. “I can’t think of another job out there that asks for this sort of commitment. It takes a special person to commit to a year away from their family to support their country when called upon. I want to thank each and every one of these Soldiers for stepping up for this mission.”

The Montana Army National Guard’s Lt. Col. Corey Swanson commanded the task force. Idaho Soldiers comprised nearly 20 percent of the task force, along with the Soldiers from the four other states’ Army National Guards.

OSS is a joint mission under the United States Central Command and is part of Operation Enduring Freedom. The task force was relieved earlier this month by another 116th CBCT-led task force, Task Force Rattler, which included more than 600 Idaho Soldiers and will return home after a year of mobilization.

Soldiers will complete the demobilization process at Fort Bliss before returning to their home states.

• Date Taken: 10.26.2022
• Date Posted: 11.02.2022 02:11
• Story ID: 432457
• Location: FORT BLISS, TX, US
• Hometown: BOISE, ID, US