Mission complete: Task Force Denali coming home

Photo By Maj. David Mattox | Soldiers with 16th Combat Aviation Brigade exit an C-17 aircraft at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Task Force Denali, composed of soldiers from the 16th CAB, is redeploying after four months in Pakistan in support of flood relief operations and providing humanitarian assistance.  

FORT WAINWRIGHT, ALASKA, UNITED STATES

12.14.2010

Courtesy Story

United States Army Alaska

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska -- With winter in full swing, many soldiers are getting ready to spend the holiday season with friends and family.

The same can now be said for more than 300 soldiers from the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade on their way back from Pakistan after supporting humanitarian relief efforts under the name Task Force Denali.

The task force began redeploying its soldiers last week, with the first group arriving at Fort Wainwright, Dec. 11.

With the mission complete, getting the soldiers back home safely and efficiently is an important piece of the redeployment according to Maj. Richard Sweet, rear detachment commander, 1st Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment.

“Our focus is conducting these redeployments operations with minimal delay,” Sweet said, “Finding a balance between keeping the families up to date and protecting operational security can be challenging,” Sweet said “So far, we are working well with the Fort Wainwright Garrison and the Family Readiness Groups.”

The unit has worked tirelessly to ensure families are informed and are given the opportunity to be present at the unit headquarters to greet their soldiers when they return.

Andrea Denoncour, and six-month-old son, Jacob, waited with open arms for the arrival of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Griffin Denoncour, 1-52nd Aviation

“I’m relieved that he is home safe,” Denoncour said.

Whether they have already returned to their families or are en-route home, the soldiers of Task Force Denali have a lot to be proud of.

Task Force Denali, composed of various units from the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, spent four months providing humanitarian assistance in support of flood relief operations in Pakistan.

In cooperation with other military forces, U.S. helicopters flew more than 26 million pounds of relief supplies and rescued more than 40,000 people.

Task Force Denali is currently redeploying its soldiers over a series of flights, which are all expected to arrive just in time for Christmas.

• Date Taken: 12.14.2010
• Date Posted: 12.16.2010 14:29
• Story ID: 62120
• Location: FORT WAINWRIGHT, ALASKA, US