Fort Campbell, KY – As soldiers continue to return from Afghanistan, 231 more Bastogne and Strike Soldiers Returned late Thursday. The pilot teased the crowd of friends and family as they did a flyover Campbell Army Airfield as they made a loop in preperation for landing.
As the plane decended towards the runway, the excitement intensified as soldiers from the 1st & 2nd Brigade Combat Team were finally home.
As soldiers stepped off the plane, they made way to greet the wounded soldiers who made their way from Walter Reed Army Hospital to welcome them home. Once everyone dropped their gear, they formed up to march inside hanger 3 for the official Welcome Home Ceremony. As the large hanger doors opened, 2nd Brigade Commander Col. Arthur A. Kandarian followed by the unit colors led them inside as the band played.Once inside the hanger Brigadier General Jeffrey N. Colt welcomed everyone home in a short speech to the soldiers. Afterwards everyone was allowed 15 minutes of family time before heading back to their unit to turn in their gear.
Teresa Locke along with her friend Marisela Mascarenas was waiting for her husband SPC Adam Locke to arrive along with his mother Marlie Locke. Tereas is just happy that he is home safe and looking forward to a well deserved vacation soon.
There are no flights scheduled for today, Easter weekend will be very busy at Campbell Army Airfield as several flights are scheduled to arrive over the weekend. Four of them will be on Saturday. The next scheduled flight is set to arrive at Campbell Army Airfield on Saturday April 23rd, 2011 at 3:30am. If you wish to attend a Welcome Home Ceremony, check the flight schedules online, as times are subject to change at any time. When arriving to Fort Campbell, enter via Gate 7; if you don’t have installation stickers on your vehicle, you will be required to get a visitor pass. From there just follow the signs to the ceremony parking. Waiting buses transport the Family members safely to the hanger.