Fort Campbell, KY – Late Thursday night, 78 Soldiers with the 1st Brigade Combat Team and 101st Headquarters and Headquarters Battery returned to Fort Campbell at 11:52pm after a year long deployment to Afghanistan.
21 Freshmen members of the Western Kentucky State ROTC were here to help welcome home the soldiers. They are currently doing a four day FTX training exercise at Fort Campbell.
It was a special home coming for SPC Jesse Melton. There were a total of Five generations on his side of the family and also for his wifes family waiting on his arrival. SPC Melton had his Grandmother Betty Keen, his mother Teri Wright, his wife Teri Melton, his son Jesse Melton Jr and grandson Aiden Melton. Dory Ruselle and Dee Dee Krohn were also there on his wifes side of the family
Also Karen Mitchell was waiting on her son PFC Kyle Boucher along with his girlfriend Katie Maloney. They drove in from Massachusetts for his arrival. They will be heading back home to wait for PFC Boucher to arrive for block leave where they are planning a huge party with a DJ for his home coming.
Once the plane was on the ground, cheers broke out as family members waited for the first glimps of their soldier. Once inside, Brigadier General Jeffrey N. Colt welcomed everyone home in a short speech to the soldiers. Afterwards everyone was allowed 15 minutes of family time before heading back to their unit to turn in their gear.
The next scheduled flight is set to arrive at Campbell Army Airfield today April 8th, 2011 at 5:50pm. If you wish to attend a Welcome Home Ceremony, check the flight schedules online, as times are subject to change at any time. When arriving to Fort Campbell, enter via Gate 7; if you don’t have installation stickers on your vehicle, you will be required to get a visitor pass. From there just follow the signs to the ceremony parking. Waiting buses transport the Family members safely to the hanger.