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NEWS | March 9, 2010

Washington welcomes home both Air and Army Guardsmen

By Maj. Sandy Smock Washington National Guard

CAMP MURRAY, Wash., - Three units from the Washington National Guard were welcomed home by family and friends this week.

The 141st Air Refueling Wing Security Forces Squadron from Fairchild Air Force Base, the 1161st Transportation Company from Ephrata, Wash., and the 1041st Transportation Company from Spokane, Wash., were deployed to Iraq.

About 170 Soldiers from Task Force 1161st and 1041st Transportation arrived home March 2. They reunited with family and friends upon their arrival at the Sea-Tac and Spokane airports.

A few days earlier on Feb. 25, about 40 security forces personnel arrived at Fairchild AFB.

Twelve of the security forces personnel, who also serving with local law enforcement agencies were escorted by more than 35 local police patrol cars with flashing lights and sirens.

About 60 police officers from various Washington law enforcement departments were also at the ceremony to greet their team members.

The squadron completed a six-month mobilization, which focused on base defense and resource protection in Iraq.

The mission of Task Force 1161st in Iraq was long-haul truck driving using tractor trailer rigs. The 1161st previously served in Iraq from February 2003 to August 2004.

From their base locations in Iraq, the task force completed 361 convoys, logged hundreds of thousands of miles on the road, moved over 31 million pounds of cargo and supplies, and delivered 71,000 pallets of water. The unit visited every major forward operating base in Iraq during their deployment.

 

 

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