Soldiers Brave Cold Weather, Arrive in Indiana

By Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry

INDIANAPOLIS - "Welcome home" and "welcome back" echoed into the clear, black night as military VIPs greeted nearly 170 Citizen-Soldiers returning to Hoosier soil Tuesday, Nov. 25 at the Indianapolis International Airport. "Welcome home to this wonderful Indiana weather," said Command Sgt. Major Jim Brown, the state's top enlisted Soldier. "Woooo weeee!" exclaimed 1st Sgt. Scott Pepper just after he cleared VIP line. "I'm glad I wore my long johns."

The temperature in Indianapolis when the Soldiers' plane landed was near freezing. The evening temperature in Iraq, their last duty assignment, was more than 20 degrees warmer. Pepper, of Fort Wayne, Ind., is the top enlisted Soldier for Company B, 1st Battalion, 293rd Infantry. Company D Soldiers also returned Tuesday.

Indiana National Guard Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 293rd Infantry shake hands with VIPs as they leave a plane at the Indianapolis International Airport. The Hoosier Soldiers spent nine-months in southwest Asia in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

From the airport they rode in buses to Indiana National Guard headquarters at Stout Field then met friends, family and loved ones. Though experiencing slightly colder temperatures many of the Soldiers were happy to be home in Indiana and in the arms of loved ones. "I'm glad, really glad, to back here," said Spc. Jack McIlwain of Marion, Ind. and a gunner with Company D, 1st Battalion 293rd Infantry. His girlfriend greeted him at the reception ceremony.

"It's awesome," said Emily Wood of seeing McIlwain again. "He's the love of my life, and he's home safe." Wood lives in Indianapolis and the two have been together for a little more than a year. Staff Sgt. Michael Watt of Franklin shared those safe and being-with-family sentiments. "It feels good to be back," said Watt. "I feel safe, and I'm just happy to be back with my wife and son." Watt is a maintenance technician with Company B, 1st Battalion, 293rd. His father and step-mother also attended the ceremony.

Indiana National Guard Spc. Jack McIlwain of Marion, Ind. gazes into his girlfriend's eyes at a reception ceremony at Stout Field in Indianapolis. "It's awesome," said Emily Wood of seeing McIlwain again. "He's the love of my life, and he's home safe." Wood lives in Indianapolis and the two have been together for a little more than a year. McIlwain is a gunner with Company D, 1st Battalion, 293rd Infantry and deployed to support Operation Iraqi Freedom in March.

"I'm very happy he's safe, and I'm very proud of him for what he did," said the Soldier's father, Charles Watt. Pepper deployed in 2003 with the brigade that was part of the initial wave of Coalition forces. "What we did in 2003 set us up for success in 2008," said the Pepper. He noticed a marked improvement in the five year. "Its' not as bad as everybody says; not everybody on the street is trying to kill you," said Pepper.

While spending nine months in direct support of Operation Iraq Freedom Company B Soldiers conducted more than 200 missions while encountering more than 20 enemy engagements. Soldiers with the Company D provided security for VIP convoys and conducted combat logistics patrols for more than 140 missions while traveling more than 40,000 miles. They also provided security for oil pipelines and supply routes. The Company B commander, Capt. Chad Pittman, was proud of his Soldiers. "They never quit," said Pittman of his Company B Soldiers. "It makes me proud to see them with their families. I think in the end that's why we do what we do."

Kaitlin Hilger smiles at her husband, Sgt. Paul Hilger at a reception ceremony Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008 at Stout Field in Indianapolis. Hilger, a mechanic with Company D, 1st Battalion, 293rd Infantry, deployed to support Operation Iraqi Freedom in March. "I'm so excited (he's back). We talked a lot on the phone, but it's nothing like seeing him in person," she said.

Pittman of Zionsville, Ind. was also relieved to be home. "It's a relief to be home with my family and with my newest little one," said Pittman while holding his daughter Lucy who is a week old. The colder temperatures will be one obstacle to overcome the next few days as the Soldiers prepare for civilian life anew. They will also complete briefings, screenings, and evaluations at Camp Atterbury. Yet for at least one other it's overcoming military jargon, and not using "roger" for "yes." "I'll probably be saying 'roger' for the next few months," said Sgt. John Langin of Fort Wayne, Ind. and a truck commander with Company B. "At least until I de-program myself."

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