Published: December 01, 2011
Indiana Guardsmen Return Home From Iraq
By Sgt. John Crosby
Approximately 150 Soldiers of the 219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade headquartered in Franklin, Ind., returned home to Indiana from the Iraqi desert climate to rain and cold sleet Monday, Nov. 28, 2011, and Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011.
The unit deployed to southern Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn in March. The team conducted reconnaissance and surveillance operations for United States Forces - Iraq priority intelligence requirements.
President Barack Obama had stated the U.S. has begun the process of winding down operations conducted in Iraq and bringing troops home. This homecoming is one of many taking place across the National Guard and active duty forces throughout the final months of 2011, part of the overall drawdown in Iraq.
Indiana National Guard 1st Lt. Matt Hygema kisses his wife Christine and son Grant after returning home from deployment to Iraq with Indiana's 219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade.
Photo: Indiana National Guard photo by Sgt. John Crosby |
Indiana National Guard troops have supported overseas contingency operations in Iraq since operations began in 2003. Hoosiers are beginning to come home after years of sacrifice and hard work to stabilize the country.
"It was interesting to watch the plans changing; from keeping 20,000 troops there, to 10,000 to 5,000 to zero," said Col. Ivan Denton, commander of the 219th. "I'm just happy we can bring all of our Soldiers home in time for the holidays."
The Soldiers returning home are from several units that make up the 219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade including Headquarters Company, 2219th Brigade Support Company and 438th Signal Company, some of the last Soldiers to return home from the conflict.
Indiana National Guard Chief Warrant Officer Patrick Day holds his wife Karen after returning home from deployment to Iraq with Indiana's 219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade.
(Indiana National Guard photo by Sgt. John Crosby |
The Guard Soldiers reported to Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center for demobilization training following the homecoming celebration.
"It's been a long nine months," said Indiana National Guard Staff Sgt. Rachel Jensen, 76th Brigade Special Troops Battalion. She reunited with her boyfriend of three years, Sgt. James Davis, as he returned home with the 219th. "I'm so ecstatic about him coming home."
Jensen and Davis met on their first deployment to Iraq with the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in 2008. Since both are Indiana National Guard Soldiers, she said they share the utmost respect for each other's professions and understand the time away from home.
"We have a really good personnel and professional relationship," said Jensen. "We mentor each other, and we're able to separate that from our relationships. We can hold a lot of realistic and even stern conversations about what it is we do, it really keeps our relationship strong."
Davis, served as senior medic for Troop A, 2-152 Infantry Battalion headquartered in Bluffton, Ind., while deployed in Iraq. He shared his girlfriend's enthusiasm as they reunited.
Indiana National Guard Staff Sgt. Jonathan Theriac reunites with his daughter Lylah, and wife Caitlyn, after returning home from deployment to Iraq.
Indiana National Guard photo by Sgt. John Crosby |
"It was a unique experience there, we shut down a lot of FOBs (forward operating bases) while were there, moving our way down south and out to Kuwait," said Davis. "It was a difficult last six months. We are just so proud of everything we've done.
"It was fun to come back to the cold weather and snow," said Davis. "We're looking forward to spending time with our families for the holidays and moving on, our focus now is reintegration with our families and maintaining a positive chain of support for our Soldiers returning home."
Denton, the brigade commander agreed, conveying a message to his Soldiers main source of support.
"Thank you so much to the families of our Soldiers," said Denton. "Without your support, none of this would have been possible."
Although most members of the 219th have returned home, some are still serving in Iraq. All are scheduled to return home before the new year.
Indiana National Guard Staff Sgt. Rachel Jensen, 76th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, reunites with her boyfriend, Sgt. James Davis, senior medic for Troop A, 2-152 Infantry Battalion, both of Westfield, Ind., after returning home from deployment to Iraq.
Photo: Indiana National Guard photo by Sgt. John Crosby |
Approximately 150 Soldiers of the 219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade headquartered in Franklin, Ind., return home to Indianapolis from deployment to Iraq.
Photo: Indiana National Guard photo by Sgt. John Crosby |
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