FORT JACKSON, SC -- Smiles and hugs filled the Army Reserve Center gymnasium last week as Soldiers from the 310th Human Resources Sustainment Center returned home to their families following a one-year deployment to Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan.
"The first thing I want to do is have a cookout and eat some good home-cooked, Southern food," Spc. Rashad Jones said. "Then I just want to relax and enjoy my family."
Jones was one of 83 Soldiers deployed to coordinate and plan human resource operations in theater. Part of their job included casualty reporting, personnel accountability and postal operations, as well as the coordinating Soldiers' rest and recuperation leave.
The 310th HRSC, which was stationed at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, was one of the first Reserve human resources units to deploy to a combat zone. Members of the unit also spent time in Iraq and Afghanistan coordinating personnel.
"We were the first Reserve unit to deploy and it created some challenges with all of the different (computer) systems," said Staff Sgt. Gerald Newton, senior human resources sergeant. "The Soldiers got a chance to see how the different systems work and interact with each other."
Members of the 310th HRSC deployed in June after completing six months of deployment training at a military facility in Wisconsin.
There were no casualties during the deployment.
"The mission was very successful," Newton said. "Soldiers were very confident in their jobs and did an outstanding job."
This was the first deployment for many of the unit's Soldiers, including Sgt. Maj. Elizabeth Litton.
"The hardest part was being away from my family in a remote desert setting," said Litton, holding her 20-month-old granddaughter, Lily Thekiot. "I am so happy to finally be home."
Jones was greeted by his mother, Margaret Jones, who waited patiently for her son's return.
"This was my first deployment and it was tough being away from home so long. It is just nice to
be back in the United States," he said.
Sgt. Zuri Colter, who has deployed twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, was greeted by his 3-year-old daughter, Kalei.
"This is only the second time I have seen my daughter since she was born. I am looking forward to spending a lot of quality time with her," he said.
The 310th HRSC is a subordinate to the 81st Regional Readiness Sustainment Command "Wildcats," which is also based at Fort Jackson.
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