FORT DRUM, N.Y. (Jan. 14, 2016) -- Approximately 200 Soldiers, assigned to 2nd Brigade Combat Team "Commandos," 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), received a warm welcome home during a ceremony held Thursday at Magrath Sports Complex after returning from a nine-month deployment in Afghanistan.
The group included Soldiers, of 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment; 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment and 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery, or FA, Regiment, who paired with British, Danish and Mongolian personnel to train, advise and assist their Afghan counterparts.
"You have fulfilled your mission, you have done that which you were born to do: serve our nation, go forward to foreign lands and do the work of our country," said Brig. Gen. Paul Bontrager, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) and Fort Drum acting senior commander.
One leader who was responsible for the men and women of 2-15 FA, said the safety of his Soldiers was his daily priority.
"I thought about it every day and every night," said Lt. Col. Kevin Jackson, 2-15 FA commander. "As I approved every mission, my No. 1 goal was to look at the risks and think about how I could bring them home safely."
Jackson's mission didn't end when he stepped off the plane at Wheel-Sack Army Airfield. His final tasking was to release the Soldiers from the ceremony, to their loved ones who waited to greet them with signs, balloons and flowers.
"I'm very excited to be home," said Sgt. Wendy Honeycutt, unit supply specialist, B Company, 2-15 FA. "I can't wait to run up and hug my Family and go to my favorite restaurant."
Approximately 1,600 Soldiers from the brigade deployed to Afghanistan. Many more are preparing to return while Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment prepare to deploy to Afghanistan this winter.
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