Photo By Sgt. Kaitlyn Quinn | Soldiers from the 643rd Military Police are presented with the Armed Forces Reserve...... read more read more
Soldiers and airmen of the Connecticut National Guard’s 643rd Military Police Company and the 103rd Air Control Squadron were honored during a Combined Welcome Home Ceremony held at the Governor William A. O’Neill State Armory on September 12, 2026, following their deployments to the Middle East and the U.S. Southern Command’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).
The return of both units concludes months of overseas service during this time the 643rd Military Police Company supported Joint Task Force Southern Guard and Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay with military policing support on Naval Station Guantanamo. When not on duty, soldiers of the 643rd Military Police Company were able to use their to complete 1,884 hours of volunteer service and earned 27 Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medals. Soldiers completed a combined total of 713 college credit hours, and earned multiple certifications including CPR, anti-terrorism, and negotiation training.
“Between my superiors, my peers and my subordinates, we were all a cohesive team. They got me through a lot of the struggles and we all worked together,"said 1st Lt. Michael Norman.
The 103rd Air Control Squadron started their deployment in the fall of 2025. During this time, airmen of the squadron deployed to four different locations in support of multiple operations within the U.S. Central Commands Area of Responsibility which encompassed 1.3 million square miles of airspace in which the squadron operated and maintained command, control, and communications equipment.
“These efforts reconstituted degraded units across the AOR and restored defensive air control over 1.3 million square miles, safeguarding more than 40,000 coalition personnel” said Maj. Michael Wilcoxson, the State’s Public Affairs Officer.
During the ceremony, both soldiers and airmen were recognized for their service by senior Connecticut National Guard leadership including the Connecticut Army National Guard's Assistant Adjutant General Brig. Gen. Michael J. Sipples and the Connecticut Air National Guard Assistant Adjutant General Brig. Gen. Gerald E. McDonald Jr. Soldiers of the 643rd Military Police Company were awarded the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M device, the Armed Forces Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism-Expeditionary Medal. Additionally, Cpt. Jason Joseph and 1st Sgt. Richard DiFronzo of the 643rd Military Police Company were awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. Airmen of the 103rd Air Control Squadron received both the Armed Forces Reserve Medal and Global War on Terrorism-Expeditionary Medal.
Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Congressman Joseph Courtney, Brig. Gen. Sipples, and Brig. Gen. McDonald delivered remarks during the ceremony praising the soldiers and airmen for their service to their community, their country, and thanked their families for the support shown to their service members deployment
| Date Taken: | 09.13.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.16.2026 11:02 |
| Story ID: | 574858 |
| Location: | HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, US |
| Web Views: | 41 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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