47.8 F
Clarksville
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNews200 more 3rd Brigade Combat Team soldiers back home with their families

200 more 3rd Brigade Combat Team soldiers back home with their families

Soldiers return to Midmorning Welcome Home Ceremony

Fort Campbell KY, 101st Airborne DivisionFort Campbell, KY – Approximately 200 soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 33 Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) were welcomed home by their families at the Fort Campbell army postĀ  on Friday.

The soldiers were returning from a 1 year deployment in the Spera subdistrict in the Khowst Province of Afghanistan.

It has been a hard deployment for these soldiers with 4 of their comrades losing their lives during their mission. Two soldiers were lost to IED’s, one in a vehicle incident, and one to small arms fire. However the soldiers will have 2 years at home to rest, recuperate, and recover.

Elements of the 1st Squadron, 33 Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team , 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) safely back home
Elements of the 1st Squadron, 33 Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team , 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) safely back home

For those who made it home safely, seeing their families for the first time after being away for so long is a moment of sheer joy.Ā  They started looking from the moment the plane touched down. Faces could be seen peering out the windows of the plane as they sought the first glimpse of their loved ones.

The families were just as excited, as the soldiers were. Cheering loudly when the plane was sighted, when the door to the plane opened, when the first soldier exited. When they finally saw the one they have been longing for, for so long.Ā  After the soldiers marched into the hanger for the actual ceremony, one little girl wiped a tear from her eye as she exclaimed to her mother and anyone else in hearing, “My daddy is home again”.

A soldier reconnecting with his family life
A soldier reconnecting with his family life
My daddy is back home with me
My daddy is back home with me

This was the third welcome home ceremony for the 3rd Brigade Combat team this month. AnotherĀ  flight is due in this afternoon, and one more on Sunday.The entire unit is expected to be home by the end of March.Ā  They are the vanguard for the return of the entire 11,000 member 101st Airborne Division, which should be fully home by the end of June. On Sunday evening elements of the 717 EOD are due in.

If you are interested in attending the Welcome Home Ceremony tomorrow afternoon, the plane is expected to land at 5:45pm. It’s best to arrive at least 1 hour early. Enter at Gate 7, and follow the signs. Hope to see you there!

Photo Gallery

Bill Larson
Bill Larson
Bill Larson isĀ  is politically and socially active in the community. Bill is a member of the Friends of Dunbar Cave. You can reach him via telephone at 931-249-0043 or via the email address below.
RELATED ARTICLES

Latest Articles