November 2011-January 2012 - Wisconsin National Guard ...

Wisconsin National Guard’s last troops in Iraq return homeContinued from Page 6Capt. Randall Ramm, officer in chargeof the Wisconsin National Guard Soldierson the deployment, extended thanks to theSoldiers’ family and friends.“Over the last 52 weeks, your Soldiershave accomplished an extraordinaryamount,” Ramm said.Walker recognized the Soldiers’ greatwork as well — citing the unit’s quick sixminutedaytime and nine-minute nighttimeresponse from when they received a callfor help to the time they were in the air.“You got up and made sure someone’slife was saved,” Walker said. “Thank youfor the incredibly well done job.”Brig. Gen. Mark Anderson, commanderof the Wisconsin Army National Guard,praised the Soldiers for their workoverseas, and also recognized the jobfamilies and friends did at home.“They could not do what they had todo without your support over these last 52weeks,” Anderson said.Part of that support was made possibleby members of the West Bend FamilyReadiness Group, which supports thefamilies of all four aviation units inWest Bend. The FRG kept in touch withfamilies throughout the deploymentprocess — at one point creating an eventon Facebook dubbed, “Deployments suck,let’s eat.” The lighthearted humor goes along way to pulling together as a biggerfamily.“Knowing there is somebody else whounderstands is half the issue right there,”said Mya Brown, an FRG volunteer.There was a multitude of supportshown at the ceremony. In addition toleadership, family and friends, membersof the Patriot Guard, Civil Air Patrol,Employer Support of the Guard andReserve and the 132nd Army Band wereall present to welcome home the Soldiers.Although the West Bend servicemembers are the state’s last to serve in@easeExpressIraq, nearly 10,000 Soldiers and Airmenhave deployed in support of OperationsIraqi Freedom and New Dawn. Since2003, Wisconsin Guard members haveconducted numerous missions in Iraq– including medevac transport, routeclearance, detainee operations, basedefense, close air support for groundoperations and in-flight refuelingmissions. In the eight years sinceoperations began in Iraq, nine WisconsinGuard members made the ultimatesacrifice in Iraq.“As a leader, I believe what we’veaccomplished in Iraq … has beenextraordinary,” Dunbar said.Since Sept. 11, 2001, every unit in theWisconsin Guard has deployed forces insupport of the global war on terror, manymore than once. While operations in Iraqare drawing to a close, the WisconsinNational Guard still has more than 350Soldiers and Airmen on active duty,including approximately 60 in support ofOperation Enduring Freedom and about180 heading to Kosovo for the NATO-ledpeace keeping mission there.But for the Soldiers of the 2ndBattalion, 135th GASB, their mission iscomplete.“We got out of there and did somethingthat’s never been done before — closingdown Iraq.” Ramm said.7 November 2011-January 2012