An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Nov. 30, 2010

First Florida Guardsmen return home from Iraq

By Capt. Kurt Van Slooten Florida National Guard

HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, Ga., - The 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team's first flight home was greeted here by the commanding general of First Army Division East as well as Florida National Guard leaders with words of encouragement and job well done.

Maj. Gen. Mick Bednarek, Division East commanding general, Air Force Maj. Gen. Emmett Titshaw, Jr., adjutant general of the Florida National Guard, and Maj. Gen. Don Tyre, assistant adjutant general of the Florida Guard, shook hands with each of the 152 Soldiers early on Nov. 28 as they got off the plane stepped foot back on American soil.

After accounting for sensitive items and watching a video providing an overview of the demobilization process the Florida Soldiers would follow, they were bused to Cottrell Field on Fort Stewart for their homecoming ceremony and to start their demobilization.

"Meeting the standard of Focused Soldier Care is our number-one priority throughout the demobilization," said Bednarek. "No Soldier will leave Fort Stewart until all his or her needs have been satisfactorily validated and addressed."

The 188th Infantry Brigade has partnered with Joint Forces Headquarters - Florida, Fort Stewart Garrison Command, Fort Stewart U.S. Army Medical Department Activity, Fort Stewart U.S. Army Dental Activity and Defense Finance and Accounting Service to respond to the 53rd's demobilization requirements.

All of the units involved expressed their commitment to assisting the Soldiers of the 53rd to complete the tasks of the First Army demobilization process.

"We have worked closely with the 53rd IBCT and the Florida Joint Forces Headquarters to clearly assess, understand and prepare for individual Soldier reintegration needs," said Col. Robert A. Warburg, 188th Infantry Brigade commander. "Special emphasis has been placed on medical and behavioral health issues, as well as other potential challenges facing these redeploying Citizen-Soldiers."

Florida's largest National Guard unit, the "Gator Brigade," with about 2,500 Soldiers, served nine months in Kuwait and Iraq under Operation Iraqi Freedom during the drawdown of U.S. forces in Iraq.

 

 

Related Articles
Tech. Sgt. Franklin Angel, 105th Airlift Wing production recruiter, poses for a photo with his two Blue Suit Awards at Stewart Air National Guard Base, New York, April 22, 2025. The Blue Suit Award recognizes the 14 top-performing recruiters from around the world, including those in active duty, the Air National Guard, and the Air Force Reserve.
Meet the New York Air National Guard’s Record-Setting Recruiter
By Senior Airman Sarah Post, | April 23, 2025
STEWART AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.Y. – One recruiter at the New York Air National Guard’s 105th Airlift Wing is standing out from his peers, having recruited more Airmen in 2024 than any other recruiter in the Air Force and...

U.S. Air Force Col. Daniel Martinie, North Carolina Joint Force Headquarters-Air, State Air Surgeon and Staff Sgt. Idris cates, 145th Medical Group, medical technician pose for a photo in an exam room at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport base, March 8, 2025. Martinie is being highlighted for being named one of North Carolina’s best doctors for 2024.
N.C. Surgeon Reflects on Military Medicine, Career and Service
By Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove, | April 23, 2025
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – After nearly three decades of military service and more than 25 years in medicine, Col. Daniel Martinie, North Carolina National Guard Joint Force Headquarters - Air chief flight surgeon, remains committed...

Four Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers conduct a close-quarters battle exchange with members of the Tajik military April 7 - 11, 2025, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The engagement was conducted in support of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, which has connected Virginia and Tajikistan since 2003.
Virginia Army Guard Soldiers, Tajikistan Conduct Battle Exchange Training
By Mike Vrabel, | April 23, 2025
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan  –  Four Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers recently conducted a close-quarters battle exchange training with members of the Tajik military.  The engagement was conducted April 7-11 through the...