FORT STEWART -- This last week was a week of tears, joy and relief as multiple Soldiers throughout the Third Infantry Division have finally made their way back home after being deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
It started with the return of 140 Soldiers with 396th Transportation Company, 87th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 3rd ID who were welcomed home during a ceremony at Cottrell Field, May 6.
The Soldiers of the 396th have spent the last nine months deployed to Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan providing convoy security through some of the most harsh and dangerous roads throughout Regional Commands East, Capital and North.
"We are proud of you, your nation is proud of you and your Families are proud of you," said Brig. Gen. John H. Hort, deputy commanding general-rear 3rd ID.
More than 40 Soldiers from the Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion returned home, May 15, to eagerly waiting Family, friends and fellow Soldiers. The Soldiers were deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan were they assumed full responsibility for the International Security Assistance Force's in Regional Command-South.
Multiple groups of Soldiers from the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd ID, landed at Hunter Army Airfield throughout the week, where they waited patiently to board a bus to return to Fort Stewart, where their loved ones and friends anticipated their return.
More Soldiers from this battalion are scheduled to return home in the near future.
The last groups of Soldiers to return this week were the "Battlekings" 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery, 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, who had the role to help assist and train the Afghan uniform police. The Battalion was more than successful with their mission and returned home, May 19, to the joys of their Families during an emotional ceremony at Newman Gym.
"The heroic actions of these Soldiers in Afghanistan bring us that much closer to mission complete," Hort added.
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