CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait -- U.S. Army Soldiers loaded unit equipment and personal gear into large cargo containers at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, March 25, 2019.
Missouri Army National Guard’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 35th Combat Aviation Brigade, checked off one more task in preparation to return home.
“We are close to the completion of our mission as we start to exchange out equipment and Soldiers with the incoming unit,” said U.S. Army Capt. Jessica Kestyus, HHC company commander. “Packing our equipment is one of the first steps we get to physically make toward returning home”
The Soldiers worked together to stage unit and personal equipment, conduct a full inventory and customs inspection.
This process is crucial as we continue our redeployment home. It’s essential we always maintain accountability of equipment and any required documentation, according to U.S. Army Sgt. Jacob Barry, a supply sergeant assigned to HHC.
After the inspections were completed, the Soldiers loaded the gear into the cargo containers and sealed them in preparation for shipment home.
“It feels great to see the company working together to get this portion of our demobilization process complete,” said Kestyus. “Being able to pack and load equipment is a pretty great feeling. A lot of hard work is put into the planning and execution across all our company locations.”
The next step in the redeployment process is receiving the new unit personnel. The Soldiers will perform a relief-in-place handoff with their respective counterparts before the transfer of authority is complete.
“These moves take an incredible amount of assistance and planning from everyone in the company,” said Kestyus. “Another milestone we all look forward to completing.”