FORT RUCKER, Ala. (January 29, 2015) -- A cross-section of Fort Rucker's Army family recently gathered to welcome home one of its own after a yearlong deployment overseas.
Staff Sgt. Christopher Thomas returned home Jan. 23 and was welcomed by thunderous applause from his 906th Military Working Dog Detachment family.
Thomas, who spent his third tour supporting force protection and anti-terrorism operations for a base in Qatar, was humbled by the homecoming event.
"It feels great to be back here with my wife, my son and my Army family," he said. "It is good to be home."
It was the first time Thomas dropped leash and deployed as operations support, according to Sgt. 1st Class William Webster, 906th MWD kennel master.
"Once you move into operations and begin training for kennel master, you drop leash," Webster said. "You have to sit back and watch everyone else train the dogs.
"As a K-9 handler, you provide the force protection," he added. "You are at the gate. You are doing perimeter security checks. You are doing VIP sweeps. You handle the explosives sweeps, if there is an explosives threat on post. As operations, you handle the planning of these things."
Thomas returns to his position alongside Webster to help handle operations and kennel master responsibilities for the post. However, the goal is to train Thomas to one day assume the role of post kennel master.
His experience speaks for itself, Webster said.
"He is one of the subject matter experts on K-9 training," the kennel master said. "He has six years of work experience working with a K-9. He has, at least, four years experience training K-9s."
Capt. Christopher Supinger, 906th MWD detachment commander and 6th Military Police Detachment, opened the formal welcome with a show of gratitude for Thomas's efforts abroad.
"I just wanted to extend my greatest gratitude and deepest thanks for doing what you've done -- for going over there to support the operation for another 12 months," Capt. Supinger said. "Your contributions are immeasurable.
"Thank you for filling the operations NCO position downrange," he added. "We're glad to have you back as operations NCO here. Welcome back, Staff Sergeant Thomas.
A few new faces greeted Thomas during his homecoming, including Lt. Col. Florentino Santana, director of the Fort Rucker Directorate of Public Safety and provost marshal.
"I appreciate you being here," Santana said. "You left before I came here, so I am a new face. We are a family -- we're your Army family. And we want to make sure we welcome you back to the Family.
"There are a few people who are new to the family," he added. "We want to bring you back in, welcome you and thank you for serving your country. I want to make this short, so I will just say 'welcome.'"
Thomas was also welcomed by his wife, Shandra, and 3-year-old son, Drew. He has served two tours in Iraq in addition to his recent tour in Qatar.
Social Sharing