The pictures tell the story: Troops and their families, glad to be home from the war.
First Lt. Daniel Macleish is welcomed home from his deployment with the 153rd Military Police Company by his wife, Erin, and their son, Daniel Jr. // Photo by Staff Sgt. Wendy McDougall
Delaware City's 153rd Military Police Company arrived at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Wednesday afternoon following nine months away from home, most of it spent in volatile western Kandahar working alongside and training local Afghan police. Bonus: they stepped back onto U.S. soil three months earlier than planned.
Col. Mike Berry, commander of the 72nd Troop Command, welcomes Staff Sgt. Roger McCall to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst after a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan with the 153rd Military Police Company. // Photo by Staff Sgt. Wendy McDougall
The family reunions were fleeting: The 130-member unit will now spend up to a week at the New Jersey base before returning to Delaware. This "demobilization" is a time to transition back to civilian life; troops will settle pay and records issues, attend security briefings, get medical and dental checkups and, if need be, counseling and therapy for war-related mental issues.
Homecoming plans have not yet been announced. For now, Wednesday's brief reunions will have to do. The unit will be welcomed home to Delaware during a ceremony being held Saturday, Sept. 28, at 11 a.m., at the Governor Bacon Parade Field in Delaware City, the Guard has announced.
Sgt. 1st Class Bruce Ashby and his son, Landon, share a smile upon his return from a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan with the 153rd Military Police Company. // Photo by Staff Sgt. Wendy McDougall
For the Guard's story and more photos, go here.
