Aguadilla, PR- Approximately 40 soldiers from the 266th Ordnance Company, US Army Reserve-Puerto Rico, arrived to the island of Puerto Rico, Nov. 16, after being deployed to Kuwait for nine months.
The reservists provided ammunition support to the U.S. Central Command's areas of responsibility in a timely and effective manner in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
"Our unit accomplished the mission successfully. Thanks to God, we arrived home safe and sound. We are ready for any other mission that could require our participation," said Sgt. 1st Class German Cuevas.
According to Cuevas, the soldiers processed over 61 million worth of ammunition, providing support to several missions across the Middle East.
Disposing abandoned ammunition and unexploded ordnance, is a critical part of the military mission in the region, because it denies enemy access to that ammo, preventing the enemy from building improvised explosive devices, the number one threat to US forces in the area.
The troops, whose home station is located at the former Ramey Air Force Base in Aguadilla, in the western littoral of the island, now enter a reintegration phase, which includes the deliberate plan to maintain and develop their mental and physical well being, while reconnecting with their families.
"We were anxious to receive our soldiers. I am honored and very proud of my son," said Helen Cruz, a native of San Sebastian, PR, and mother of Spec. Christopher Nieves.
"This mobilization has been positive because I learned and grew as a soldier and as a person. It is not the same to do your job one weekend a month, than doing it every day for almost a year," said Nieves, who also said he was ready to eat a homemade meal.
The return of the troops from the US Army Reserve-Puerto Rico represents a clear example of the effective pre mobilization program in the command , and the strength of the soldiers and their families.
The US Army Reserve in Puerto Rico, the largest US Army Command in the Caribbean, currently has over 250 soldiers deployed to Afghanistan and other countries around the world.
Since the year 2001, approximately 5,000 troops from the US Army Reserve-Puerto Rico have been mobilized in support to the war against terrorism.
According to the International Security Assistance Force website, there are currently approximately 60,000 US troops in Afghanistan.
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