FORT BENNING, Ga., (April 6 2016) -- More than 40 Soldiers of the 463rd Medical Detachment, (Veterinary Service Support), returned home after spending nine months overseas in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (Spartan Shield). Soldiers, dubbed the "Hellhounds," were welcomed home with a redeployment ceremony in Freedom Hall April 1.
Supporting operations Spartan Shield, Inherent Resolve and Resolute Support, Soldiers provided veterinary medical care, veterinary preventative medicine, food safety and food defense for 17 installations across Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, Iraq and Afghanistan. The unit strategically and operationally worked within the Central Command and operated in conjunction with several non-governmental agencies and multicoalition partners across the five different countries.
The unit accomplished many milestones while deployed, said Col. Cory Costello, 14th Combat Support Hospital commander. The 463rd Medical Detachment (VSS) saved significant government funding by inspecting and extending subsistence after careful inspection; provided veterinary care and management for 84 military working dogs in five countries- resulting in a thousand inpatient and outpatient visits. The unit also successfully tracked and conducted the proper precautions and audits in regards to food safety.
Costello said the Soldiers were responsible for a lot of food and keeping Soldiers and CENTCOM operation professionals well nourished.
"They were the guardians of that astounding responsibility," he said.
Costello said they also took care of the military working dogs. He said the dogs are the four-legged heroes and friends who protect Soldiers when in harm's way.
"Over a thousand times they (Soldiers) checked on their health," Costello said. "Now those four-legged friends - they don't wear body armor, they don't wear boots, their poor paws are exposed to the elements. These Soldiers and that moondust of hot hundred degree weather everyday were ready to save these heroes."
Lt. Col. Alisa Wilma, 463rd Medical Detachment (VSS) commander, said she is proud of her Soldiers and all they've done.
"There aren't words for how proud I am of what they have done and accomplished," she said. "They are amazing. I am so blessed with just some of the most astounding professionals ... just fantastic Soldiers, every last one of them."
Wilma said Families must know Soldiers are grateful of what they sacrifice for them. She said there are no words to describe the feeling when Soldiers reunite with their Families.
"It's one of the meanings of leadership is to bring them all home safe and to hand them back to the Families who have loaned them to us, willingly," she said.
"The Army is a rough road and it's hard on Families," she added. "You have to stop for a moment and tell them ... we don't do it without them ... we are giants because we stand on the shoulders of others."
Soldiers and their Families expressed their excitement about being back home.
"This is so great," Laquata Ingram, a cousin of Sgt. 1st Class Francesca Ross, said. "We are glad for her to be back. We didn't know when she was coming."
Spc. Jordan Putscher, a veterinary technician, said she can't wait to get home to Family and her very own four-legged friend, her Great Dane.
"I can't wait to see my dog," she said.
Putscher said staying in touch with her Family during deployment helped keep her spirits up, and she is glad to be home and smell the fresh air.
Capt. Raymond Wong said it is great to see familiar faces after being gone for nine months.
"All the friends and Families and colleagues are a good sight to see," he said.
Social Sharing