FORT SILL, Okla. – The 3rd Battalion, 13th Field Artillery Regiment, 75th Field Artillery Brigade hosted a welcome home ceremony Nov. 22 at Rinehart Fitness Center for Task Force Alpha as they returned from the Republic of Korea (RoK).
The 75th Field Artillery Brigade has provided rotational field artillery units to 210th Field Artillery Brigade, located in Camp Casey, RoK, since 2015 to help meet their annual training requirements.
“The redeployment of [Task Force Alpha] is a milestone in the history of the Diamond Brigade,” said Col. Stephen Walker, the 75th Field Artillery Brigade Commander. “It marks the end of a 9-year commitment for the brigade to provide a rotational presence to 210th FAB on Camp Casey. With the end of these rotations, the Diamond Brigade is all back home to FT Sill for the first time since 2015.”
Lt. Col. Jeremy Tillman, the 3-13FAR Commander, gave his remarks commemorating Task Force Alpha’s accomplishments over the course of their deployment. “Many succeed in times of challenge because they chose to succeed,” he said.
After the ceremony’s conclusion, Tillman explained Task Force Alpha’s mission was to deter adverse action from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
“We’re very happy and pleased with everything we accomplished in Korea,” said 1st Sgt. Andy Carmona, the Alpha Battery, 3-13FAR First Sergeant. “We had some challenges, obviously, integrating into a different unit. But overall, very successful. We received a lot of recognition.”
While the battalions of the 75th Field Artillery Brigade have historically maintained a cyclical deployment schedule, Tillman said it is unlikely 3-13FAR will be tasked with another overseas mission in the near future.
Staff Sgt. Jaquan Alexander, an Alpha Battery MLRS Section Chief, was happy to be home. “I’ve got two kids and a wife. It’s good to be back with them and see those moments now,” said Alexander. He continued, “I’m going to spend time with family and get back to training. It doesn’t stop while we’re here.”
Social Sharing