Senior leaders visit with final group of Virginia Guard Soldiers to return to U. S. after duty in Iraq

Senior leaders of the Virginia Army National Guard visit with Soldiers from the Sandston-based 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, also known as Task Force Punisher, as they conduct demobilization activities Dec. 19 at Fort Hood, Texas. About 60 Soldiers from the unit returned to the United States Dec. 18 and 19 and were the last Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers serving in Iraq. The main body of the aviation battalion returned to Virginia Dec. 10 with a formal welcome home ceremony, but two flight companies with approximately 110 Virginia and Maryland National Guard Soldiers remained in Iraq and flew an additional 500 hours of combat aviation support until they left Iraq Sept. 14. Col. Rob McMillin, Virginia Army National Guard chief of staff, Col. Jim Ring, state aviation officer, and Command Sgt. Maj. Carl Holcomb, Virginia Army National Guard command sergeant major, visited with Soldiers at Fort Hood to welcome them back to the United States and get an update on the demobilization process. As Soldiers complete their post-mobilization medical evaluation and other administrative activities to transition from federal active duty to traditional National Guard status they will be released from active duty to return home to their families and friends. Soldiers are scheduled to return in small groups and no formal welcome home ceremony for this final group is planned. Most Soldiers should complete the demobilization process and be home by Christmas.