The 509th Clearance Company, 5th Engineer Battalion, returned home before Thanksgiving following a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel.
The unit conducted more than 400 route clearance missions, successfully clearing more than 12,000 kilometers of roadway for the Army's 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade, ensuring the SFAB's mobility in the region.
Soldiers were welcomed by family members and friends Nov. 19 and 21 at Danner Hall on post, with remarks by unit commanders.
"The 509th has completed a difficult and dangerous mission," Lt. Col. James Cook, 5th Engineer Battalion commander, said. "They fulfilled their organizational purpose by literally clearing the way for the success of the Army's first Security Force Assistance Brigade and our coalition allies. Your Soldiers have performed their duties with professionalism, dignity and honor."
"While they were away, their families -- you -- had your own significant accomplishments," Cook added. "Graduations, first teeth, first steps, first jobs, concerts, promotions and countless other examples of all those everyday things that make living and defending the American dream so important."
"I'm certain your Soldiers are as proud of you as you are of them," he said.
Capt. Joshua Miles, 509th Clearance Company commander, spoke on behalf of the Renegades when he said it was great to be home.
"It was a long and difficult time away from families," Miles said. "It feels good knowing that we worked hard, performed our mission, and we brought everybody back.
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