SCHWETZINGEN, Germany - - Soldiers of the 18th Engineer Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, returned home to ear-piercing cheers from poster-waving family members, June 8, during the welcome home ceremony held here in the Tompkins Barracks gymnasium.
The headquarters element returned after a year-long deployment to Afghanistan where it coordinated and provided command and control to each of its six subordinate battalions.
"We're thrilled. It's great to be done with the mission, and it's great to be back in Germany," said Col. Paul M. Paolozzi, commander of the 18th Eng. Bde and a native of Utica, N.Y. Paolozzi noted, that of the more than 4,000 Soldiers within the brigade, it was only the headquarters that returned.
Paolozzi said the unit went well beyond accomplishing their deployment goals. "We believe that we had a certain set or where the brigade was, or what it was as we arrived in Afghanistan. We significantly changed that while we were there."
"We moved the brigade headquarters to a place where future brigades can have a better operational reach. We also made sure that all Engineer efforts are coordinated and synchronized through the brigade headquarters for each one of the battalions," said Paolozzi.
While deployed, the unit's job involved working across Afghanistan, interacting with the Afghan National Army and performing route clearance and construction. Part of the mission was to work with the partnership for the Afghan Army and to make sure that they're strong and capable for the future, said Paolozzi.
After landing at Ramstein Air Base, the Soldiers were bused to Schwetzingen where family members and other well wishers had gathered. "It was a long bus ride," said Spc. Michael Janssen, a signal support system specialist.
"It was probably the longest hour bus ride I've had in a while . . . Now that I'm here, I'm glad it's over . . . It was a good deployment, everybody did what they were supposed to, and the mission was successful," said Janssen, a native of Sioux City, Iowa.
Staff Sgt. Dexter Walter, geospatial section, said he was glad to be back with the family, as he stood clutching his two-year old daughter, Lillian, with his wife, Paris, at his side. "I'm thankful to get back safe, which was the focal point the whole time," said Walter. "My priority now is dinner with the family and getting ready for a permanent change of station move to Hawaii."
Spcs. Lee Easton and Paul Ulmer, assigned to the brigade's military intelligence section, were both looking forward to taking a shower and wearing civilian clothes. "It feels great and a relief to be back," said Easton. "It seems pretty surreal and going to take a while to settle in."
"Shower, sleep and get out of this," said Ulmer pointing to his uniform. "It's been a while since we've had a shower and good night's sleep."
Sgt. Maj. Perry Ledbetter, supply sergeant major and native of Bennettsville, S.C., said the unit did more than accomplish the mission. "We went much beyond to make sure everything was set up for the new unit that came and took over. It feels great to be back. My goal is to travel, see more of Germany and Europe while enjoying the family and catch up."
"I think for the unit, it's quick rest and recuperation, and taking some time to be with their families and enjoy just the reintegration schedule," said Paolozzi. "And then I think everyone's got their own individual plans and just taking some leave time and then, quickly after that, we will be moving the brigade headquarters to Schweinfurt, Germany."
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