Photo By Sgt. Maria Kappell | Soldiers from E Battery, 4-5 Air Defense Artillery, make their long awaited appearance...... read more read more
By 1st Lt. Gregg Verhoef
4-5 AMD
FORT HOOD, Texas - Soldiers from Echo Battery, 4th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 69th ADA Brigade, returned Feb. 19 to Fort Hood after an extremely successful year long deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Echo Battery performed a critical Counter Rocket Artillery and Mortar mission, during which they were responsible for protecting thousands of Soldiers on numerous forward operating bases across Iraq from enemy rocket, artillery and mortar attack. During several enemy mortar attacks Echo Battery provided early warning saving countless lives by allowing Soldiers on the FOBs to seek cover before the rounds impacted.
The battery's Soldiers were spread across FOBs, both large and small, at some of the most dangerous locations in Iraq.
The unit developed, tested and implemented a new system to allow FOBs to share early warning information, thereby speeding response times to enemy mortar attack.
As a result of the battery's outstanding performance and service, the Soldiers of Echo Battery were awarded over 60 Combat Action Badges and more than 20 Bronze Stars.
While their Soldiers were deployed, Echo Battery's families maintained an extremely successful and supportive Family Readiness Group. The strong network established by the FRG leaders contributed immensely to Soldiers, keeping them able to stay focused on their very important mission.
After the Soldier's return flight was pushed back several days, Echo's anxious and eager families were excited to reunite with their loved ones at the welcome home ceremony Friday afternoon at the West Fort Hood Physical Fitness Center.
Echo Battery served with great distinction in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the 69th ADA Brigade is pleased to welcome these heroes home.
| Date Taken: | 02.19.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 02.22.2010 15:26 |
| Story ID: | 45703 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 406 |
| Downloads: | 192 |
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