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Home : News : State Partnership Program
NEWS | Oct. 28, 2010

Three agricultural teams demobilize at Atterbury

By Staff Sgt. Matt Scotten, Indiana National Guard

CAMP ATTERBUY JOINT MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER, Ind., - Over 150 Soldiers from three separate Agribusiness Development Teams, Indiana, Texas and Oklahoma, stepped foot back on American soil and headed to Atterbury to begin the demobilization process Oct. 20.

When asked how he feels to be home, Sgt. Matthew R. Morgan, a Salem, Ind. native and project purchasing officer for Indiana's 2-19th ADT, answered with the question, "Can you even put that into words?"

Both units will be spending about five days here, getting physical screenings, dental examinations, several briefs on their benefits as combat veterans, and information on where to go to find help if they have trouble readjusting to life away from the combat zone.

Oklahoma's 1-45th ADT spent their combat tour operating in Afghanistan's Patyka Province, working with local farmers to help them establish more effective methods and help develop the country's infrastructure.

"I wish we could give them all the training they want," said Lt. Col. Jackie Sanders, officer-in-charge of the 1-45th ADT, speaking of Afghan farmers. "They are eager to learn."

Texas ADT 3 operated in Ghazni Province. Although happy to be back on American soil, Sgt. Tom Walters, a team leader in Texas ADT 3, said, "I'll never forget serving with these guys."

The 2-19th ADT, had a similar mission in Khost Province, along Afghanistan's eastern border with Pakistan.

"When we walked through those doors on Stout Field at our homecoming event, it was awesome," Magner said. "It wasn't until that moment that I felt like I could finally take my pack off."

ADT Soldiers were all smiles coming off the plane at Indianapolis International Airport. One can only imagine how much bigger those smiles will be after demobilization training here is completed and they can all go home to their families and friends.