Photo By Capt. Rick Scoggins | The family of Army Staff Sgt. Waddell Kemp is welcomed home by his family as fellow...... read more read more
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GREENVILLE, N.C. – The North Carolina National Guard’s 514th Military Police Company arrived at Pitt-Greenville Airport to cheering families, friends, loved ones and an escort by the Greenville Police Department here, May 18.
The unit’s 120 soldiers returned from an almost yearlong deployment to Afghanistan, where they assisted in the training of Afghan Uniformed Police and convoy security missions all over the country.
“After multiple tours, you really get a great appreciation for America and being back in the state of North Carolina,” said Army Capt. Leland Pearson, commander of the 514th MPs.
The 514th MPs provided advisory assistance to Afghan Uniformed Police for more than 300 missions and the unit conducted six convoy escort missions, transporting 365 personnel, hauling 345 pieces of cargo and traveling a total of more than 10,000 miles.
“We’re really proud of these guys, said Army Col. Allen Boyette, commander of the 60th Troop Command, the 514th’s higher headquarters.
“They started their train up probably 20-months ago getting ready for this mission,” said Boyette. “They did extensive training from Fort Pickett and Camp Butner, to the final follow on training at Fort Bliss before heading to Afghanistan.
According to Boyette, the unit’s focus over the next several months will be to reintegrate with families, conduct Welcome Home events and to refit and rebuild their team’s training requirements and capabilities for future missions in the years to come.
"It's nice to see family and friends and the people who came out here to support,” said Army Sgt. Sarah Viau, a member of the unit’s third platoon. “The support during this deployment; it's been really touching, with everything that we've gone through, it's been awesome."
Early in the 514th’s deployment in October 2012, the unit lost three members to an attack that killed three and seriously injured several others. Army Staff Sgt. Donna Johnson and Sgts. Thomas Butler, Jeremy Hardison, were an integral part of the unit and their loss was felt throughout all of the members of the 514th.
“Today is a sad day too, because we're all coming home to our families but those three heroes; their families don't have their soldiers coming home, which is heartbreaking," said Viau.
The reintegration activities and other planned events will help to provide critical information and resources that will hopefully help the unit and families to get support.
For their hard work and professionalism, the 514th earned more than 130 awards and medals collectively.
“I think everybody [families] is extremely excited to finally get the unit home safe; it’s just a great day for the unit today,” said Boyette.
“The soldiers are excited and happy to be back, said Pearson. “They performed exceptionally well and should come home with their heads held high knowing that they did a good job for America.”
The 514th MPs deployed previously in 1996 in support of Operation Joint Endeavor in Germany. The unit also served in support of Operation Noble Eagle II and again in 2004 in support of Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo.
“I want to thank the soldiers for the job that they did. Obviously, without them, we can’t do anything,” said Pearson.
Editors and producers: To see more photos from the 514th Military Police Reunion, please visit our Flickr Page at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ncngpao/sets/72157633537845002/.
For any questions, please contact the North Carolina National Guard Public Affairs Office at pao@ng.army.mil or by phone at 919-664-6242. For more NCNG news, visit our website: www.nc.ngb.army.mil/. To become a Facebook fan of the NCNG, please visit www.facebook.com/NCnationalguard or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NCnationalguard.
To view additional pictures from this and other events, visit www.flickr.com/photos/ncngpao.
| Date Taken: | 05.18.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 05.20.2013 17:16 |
| Story ID: | 107267 |
| Location: | GREENVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 227 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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