INDIANAPOLIS - About 150 Soldiers of the 219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade returned home from the Iraqi desert climate to Indiana's rain and cold sleet on Monday and Tuesday.
The unit deployed to southern Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn in March. The team conducted reconnaissance and surveillance operations for United States Forces - Iraq priority intelligence requirements.
President Barack Obama has stated the U.S. has begun the process of winding down operations conducted in Iraq and bringing troops home. This homecoming is one of many taking place across the National Guard and active duty forces throughout the final months of 2011, part of the overall drawdown in Iraq.
Indiana National Guard troops have supported overseas contingency operations in Iraq since operations began in 2003. Hoosiers are beginning to come home after years of sacrifice and hard work to stabilize the country.
"It was interesting to watch the plans changing; from keeping 20,000 troops there, to 10,000 to 5,000 to zero," said Army Col. Ivan Denton, commander of the 219th. "I'm just happy we can bring all of our Soldiers home in time for the holidays."
The Soldiers returning home are from several units that make up the 219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade including Headquarters Company, 2219th Brigade Support Company and 438th Signal Company - some of the last Soldiers to return home from the conflict.
The Guard Soldiers reported to Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center for demobilization training following the homecoming celebration.
"It's been a long nine months," said Army Staff Sgt. Rachel Jensen, 76th Brigade Special Troops Battalion. She reunited with her boyfriend of three years, Army Sgt. James Davis, as he returned home with the 219th. "I'm so ecstatic about him coming home."
Jensen and Davis met on their first deployment to Iraq with the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in 2008. Since both are Indiana National Guard Soldiers, she said they share the utmost respect for each other's professions and understand the time away from home.
"We have a really good personnel and professional relationship," said Jensen. "We mentor each other, and we're able to separate that from our relationships. We can hold a lot of realistic and even stern conversations about what it is we do. It really keeps our relationship strong."
Davis served as senior medic for Troop A, 2-152 Infantry Battalion headquartered in Bluffton, Ind., while deployed in Iraq. He shared his girlfriend's enthusiasm as they reunited.
"It was a unique experience there. We shut down a lot of FOBs [forward operating bases] while we were there, moving our way down south and out to Kuwait," said Davis. "It was a difficult last six months. We are just so proud of everything we've done.
"It was fun to come back to the cold weather and snow," said Davis. "We're looking forward to spending time with our families for the holidays and moving on. Our focus now is reintegration with our families and maintaining a positive chain of support for our Soldiers returning home."
Denton, the brigade commander agreed, conveying a message to his Soldiers main source of support.
"Thank you so much to the families of our Soldiers," said Denton. "Without your support, none of this would have been possible."
Although most members of the 219th have returned home, some are still serving in Iraq. All are scheduled to return home before the New Year.