FORT DRUM, N.Y. (May 23, 2018) -- Family and friends welcomed back about 100 Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team 10th Mountain Division, from a nine-month deployment in Afghanistan during a redeployment ceremony May 22 here at Magrath Sports Complex.
Many of the waiting families held home-made greeting signs, including Lauren Hardin, the girlfriend of Cpl. Dylan Chambers. She drove from Winfield, Alabama, along with Chambers’ family.
“I’m very excited to see him today and I’m so proud of him,” said Hardin.
Over 400 Soldiers from 1-87 Infantry deployed in September in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. The Summit Battalion, as they are known, partnered with Special Operations Joint Task Force-Afghanistan to defeat Taliban and ISIS-K forces while securing the legitimacy of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
“These mountain warrior Soldiers were tested in combat and baptized by fire, and they prevailed each and every time with the unmatched competence, character and valor that define our light infantry battalions,” said Col. Morgan, 1st Brigade Combat Team commander.
Morgan also highlighted the battalion was successful while being spread across 13 camps separated by hundreds of miles that stretched across Afghanistan. The Soldiers also trained, advised and assisted Afghan National Army Special Operations Forces to develop a fighting force capable of securing an independent nation.
Capt. Robert Reed, 1-87 Infantry, gave credit to the mission’s joint effort.
“We partnered with some of the greatest forces in the world along with our NATO partners and it was absolutely amazing,” said Reed.
The mission was not without its challenges.
“The terrain was unforgiving and the enemy was cunning and determined,” Morgan said. “But the exceptional actions of these men and women stand as a testimony to the resolve of our nation, the readiness of our army and the special warfighting skills of the 10th Mountain Division Soldiers.”
The reward of coming home was summed up well by Cpl. Chambers.
“We like our steaks big in Alabama, but my family will enjoy a New York steak just the same now that I’m home,” Chambers said.