More 27th Infantry Brigade National Guard soldiers return to United States

New York National Guard
Courtesy Story

Date: 12.15.2012
Posted: 12.15.2012 20:45
News ID: 99362
More 27th Infantry Brigade National Guard Soldiers Return to United States

LATHAM, N.Y. - More than 110 members of the New York Army National Guard's 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team have arrived back in the United States after deployment in Kuwait.

The soldiers, who are assigned to the 27th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, Company A 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry, and Company A 427th Brigade Support Battalion, arrived at Camp Shelby, Miss., late Friday, Dec. 14.

The soldiers were mobilized in January and trained at Camp Shelby before deploying to Kuwait in April.

They are expected top return to New York on Dec. 18/19. The soldiers will fly into Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, N.Y. Those soldiers who do not live in the Syracuse area will be bused to armories in Rochester, Latham and Manhattan.

The soldiers performed logistics, administrative and security missions while deployed. The brigade deployed in support of more than 25 different missions and locations throughout the Middle East.

More than 200 soldiers returned to New York last week. The bulk of the brigade's 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry Battalion, which served in Afghanistan, returned home in October. Soldiers will continue to return to Camp Shelby throughout December.

The brigade's commander, Col. Geoffrey Slack, is urging his soldiers, and their families, to be patient as they go through the demobilization process.

"Though everyone wants to go home, I think someone must beg each and every family to slow down and take full advantage of the demobilization process ... let that person be me," Slack emphasized.

More than 2,500 soldiers assigned to the brigade are demobilizing through Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Miss. Staff there will address and resolve any medical, behavioral health, administrative and financial issues soldiers have before they head home.

The 27th Brigade deployed with Army National Guard soldiers from Florida, Alabama, Illinois, Wisconsin, California, Kansas, Michigan and South Carolina, as well as from New York.

"This is an important effort, and we are committed to taking care of every soldier as they transition back home," explained Maj. Gen. Kevin Wendel, First Army Division East Commander.

In addition to individual-focused medical, dental and behavioral health support, soldiers receive information and resources on benefits, programs, and access to care to assist them as they transition back home, including TRICARE (The military health care program), Veteran's Health Administration information and assistance, and employment information and resources. Soldiers who wish to apply for benefits and jobs can do so with assistance from representatives on-site.