Florida National Guardmembers home for the holidays

By Staff Sgt. Blair Heusdens
Florida National Guard

Lt. Col. John Haas, commander of the 1st Squadron, 153rd Cavalry Regiment, based in Tallahassee, Fla., steps off a plane at Hunter Army Airfield, Dec. 19, 2010, after a nearly year-long deployment with the Florida National Guard's 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team to Iraq and Kuwait. Haas was the last person off of the last flight of Soldiers from the brigade to arrive in Savannah, Ga., to begin demobilization at Fort Stewart. All of the Soldiers from the brigade are expected to return home in time for the holidays. (Photo by Debra Cox)
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ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (12-23-10) – Approximately 2,400 Soldiers from the Florida National Guard’s 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team have all returned to the United States after a nearly year-long deployment to Iraq and Kuwait in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn.

The Soldiers are finishing demobilization activities at Fort Stewart, Ga., and will return home to their families in Florida in time for the holidays.

“[The Soldiers] performed remarkably well,” said Col. Richard Gallant, commander of the 53rd IBCT. “They exceeded my expectations every single day. These guys set a new standard of excellence.”

The unit returned to Fort Stewart, Ga., in multiple flights throughout a month-long period.

Families were able to greet the Soldiers during a short welcome home ceremony after their arrival at Fort Stewart.

While at Fort Stewart, the Soldiers completed demobilization tasks to resolve pay and medical issues before being released from active duty. From Fort Stewart, the Soldiers took buses to their hometowns or traveled home with family.

The 53rd IBCT deployed for the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2002 and saw the completion of combat operations in Iraq during their current tour.

The unit also deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2006.

This current deployment was the largest single deployment of Florida National Guard Soldiers since World War II.

The unit trained at Camp Blanding, Fla., and Fort Hood, Texas prior to deploying overseas.

During their deployment, the 53rd supported convoy operations into and out of Iraq and helped to support the drawdown of combat forces from Iraq.

Gallant spoke about the impact his Soldiers made for the people and mission in Iraq during their deployment.

“A lot of times you don’t realize what you’ve been able to do when you’re done, but I want our Soldiers to be proud now, be proud in five years and be proud in ten years; because they’ve made a tremendous positive impact on the nation. I want them to remember that,” said Gallant.

Units and Soldiers from the 53rd IBCT are located throughout the entire State of Florida.

Many of the returning Soldiers will now be looking for work within the communities where they live and others will be returning to school to take advantage of the education benefits available to them through the National Guard.

As the 53rd Soldiers spend the holidays at home this year with their families, the Florida National Guard has approximately 800 Soldiers still deployed overseas supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and within the United States.

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