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COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina National Guard conducted an arrival ceremony for returning Soldiers, March 18, 2023, in Columbia, South Carolina, to recognize their deployment in support of the European Deterrence Initiative.
More than 50 U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers with the 678th Air Defense Artillery Brigade (ADA BDE) Mission Command Element returned home from a 10-month deployment in Europe in support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) mission to defend the eastern flank against aggression, while reinforcing partnerships with NATO allies. The ceremony enabled the South Carolina National Guard to officially recognize the unit’s return from deployment with their friends and family in attendance.
“I think our role went very well,” said Lt. Col. Brooks Yarborough, 678th ADA BDE Deputy Commander. “We had subordinate units we supported on the eastern flank, and our staff did an incredible job supporting those units and focusing on the Soldiers in the front.”
As the ever-increasing demand for air defense capabilities rises overseas, the 678th ADA BDE has been able to fill that needed role. The 678th ADA BDE can deploy worldwide, and conduct joint and combined/coalition air and missile defense operations, and has found itself within the U.S. European command area of operations.
“You know in the air defense community, whether you’re a part of the 263rd Army Air Missile Defense Command, 678th ADA BDE, or in the 2-263rd Air Defense Artillery Battalion, the artillery and air defense community is one of our higher op. tempo. units that we have. We know the missions. We know they keep coming.” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Van McCarty, adjutant general for South Carolina.
As the 678th ADA BDE finished its third and final rotation, they returned home after a transfer of authority where the 174th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Ohio National Guard, assumed responsibilities as the mission command element for 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command. The 678th sets its sights on the future wherever it may be needed.
“My wife says we were right here back in 2010, when I was coming home from Afghanistan. So, she knows exactly what you’re feeling,” said Maj. Gen. Frank Rice, Commander of the 263rd Army Air & Missile Defense Command. “We appreciate you being here. We appreciate your support of your Soldiers, and us while they were gone.”
“Get back and readjust with your battle rhythm back at home and refocus on the things that matter most in life, and that folks, is your family,” said McCarty.
| Date Taken: | 03.22.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 03.31.2023 12:29 |
| Story ID: | 440946 |
| Location: | COLUMBIA, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 311 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, South Carolina National Guard Soldiers arrives home from deployment, by SGT Tim Andrews, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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