Virginia Guard Provincial Reconstruction Team Security Force returns to United States after federal duty in Afghanistan
Approximately 40 Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to duty as a Provincial Reconstruction Team Security Force returned to the United States March 23 after serving on federal active duty since March 28, 2011. The Soldiers performed more than 640 security missions in support of PRT Uruzgan while the PRT was operating in potentially dangerous areas to rebuild infrastructure, assist with agriculture, build wells and provide healthcare to the people across the many provinces of Afghanistan. The PRT is a joint mission, manned by Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen from the active duty and reserve components of the U.S. military. The Soldiers are assigned to the Hampton-based 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery, 116th Brigade Combat Team, but are from all over the state including Northern Virginia, Charlottesville, Staunton, Norfolk and the Hampton Roads area, as well as Southern Virginia. The Soldiers mobilized with Massachusetts Guard Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment, and all the Soldiers will conduct demobilization activities at Camp Atterbury, Ind. Brig. Gen. Kendall W. Penn, deputy commanding general for First Army, welcome the Soldiers back to the United States. Maj. Mike Martin, mobilization assistance team chief, also welcomed the Soldiers home and gave them an initial overview of their demobilization activities. (Photo by Cotton Puryear, Virginia Department of Military Affairs)
Virginia Guard Provincial Reconstruction Team Security Force returns to United States after federal duty in Afghanistan
Approximately 40 Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to duty as a Provincial Reconstruction Team Security Force returned to the United States March 23 after serving on federal active duty since March 28, 2011. The Soldiers performed more than 640 security missions in support of PRT Uruzgan while the PRT was operating in potentially dangerous areas to rebuild infrastructure, assist with agriculture, build wells and provide healthcare to the people across the many provinces of Afghanistan. The PRT is a joint mission, manned by Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen from the active duty and reserve components of the U.S. military. The Soldiers are assigned to the Hampton-based 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery, 116th Brigade Combat Team, but are from all over the state including Northern Virginia, Charlottesville, Staunton, Norfolk and the Hampton Roads area, as well as Southern Virginia. The Soldiers mobilized with Massachusetts Guard Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment, and all the Soldiers will conduct demobilization activities at Camp Atterbury, Ind. Brig. Gen. Kendall W. Penn, deputy commanding general for First Army, welcome the Soldiers back to the United States. Maj. Mike Martin, mobilization assistance team chief, also welcomed the Soldiers home and gave them an initial overview of their demobilization activities. (Photo by Cotton Puryear, Virginia Department of Military Affairs)