About 150 troopers arrived again at Fort Bragg on Tuesday night time after an eight-month deployment in Europe.
The troopers, who’re a part of the threerd Battalion, 321st Discipline Artillery Regiment, quickly deployed to Germany on Feb. 28 in help of the 18th Airborne Corps and the rapid response drive’s mission to bolster NATOS’s japanese flank and help NATO in deterring Russian aggression after Russian invaded Ukraine.
The regiment transferred tasks to the 1st Battalion, 14th Discipline Artillery Regiment from Fort Sill, Oklahoma, on Saturday.
One other 150 troopers with the Fort Bragg-based battalion may even return again this week.
In February, Pentagon officers introduced that about 4,700 paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division would go to Poland in wake of Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, whereas greater than 200 troopers with the 18th Airborne Corps and its supporting items would go to Germany.
The 82nd Airborne paratroopers returned to Fort Bragg in July, whereas the 18th Airborne Corps’ headquarters has remained in Germany since February.
Extra:18th Airborne Corps troopers arrive in Germany amid Russian menace to Ukraine
“It’s nice to be house after an eight-month deployment, particularly one which once we kicked out it was sort of unknown what the mission was going to be, Maj. Gabe Dearman, the battalion operations officer for the regiment, mentioned moments after disembarking from an plane at Pope Army Airfield. “We simply knew we had been going over there to strengthen and guarantee our allies and companion forces and deter additional Russian aggression. It simply feels actually nice to have achieved that for eight months, and to be house is such an honor.”
Dearman mentioned due to the fast 48-hour deployment, it was one of many first situations to his information that the battalion was in a position to make use of pre-positioned Army artillery inventory in coaching.
“The coaching there was phenomenal, a really permissive setting to essentially prepare and get after a few of the core duties,” he mentioned. “I really feel like we’re as prepared as we had been once we left eight months in the past.”
In the course of the eight-month deployment, the regiment took half in a number of coaching occasions throughout the continent together with in Germany, Poland, Sweden and Latvia.
“We went to ranges to remain proficient on our warrior duties and drills,” mentioned Sgt. 1st Class David Butler, a distribution platoon sergeant for the regiment.
Dearman and Butler mentioned whereas they’re proud the unit was in a position to help NATO allies, they’re additionally glad to be again house.
Dearman mentioned reintegration and some administrative necessities are subsequent for the unit.
“However then we’re going to take some much-needed day without work,” he mentioned.
Employees author Rachael Riley could be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528.
Extra:Fort Bragg troopers deploy to help NATO in Europe amid Russian menace to Ukraine
