Tenn. National Guard Field Artillery unit returns home from Middle East
SMYRNA, Tenn. – More than 145 Soldiers from the Tennessee National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 181st Field Artillery Regiment, returned home, Feb. 6, after a successful 10-month deployment to the Middle East. An additional 190 Soldiers from the 1-181st have already returned to Tennessee on Feb. 3, marking the deployment’s completion for the 335 members of the Chattanooga based unit.
The Soldiers flew into Nashville’s Berry Field Air National Guard Base at approximately 11:00 p.m. and were greeted by fellow Soldiers and Tennessee National Guard leadership. Following their arrival, the Soldiers bused to Smyrna’s Volunteer Training Site where a welcome home ceremony with family and friends awaited them.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the accomplishments of our Soldiers,” said Lt. Col. Phillip E. Hill Jr., 1-181st Commander. “They overcame every obstacle and always accomplished their mission. It was my honor to lead the 1-181st on this deployment and we are thankful to be back home.”
The 1-181st was a part of Task Force Iron Valor and deployed to six different countries in the Middle East under U.S. Central Command. They supported Operations Spartan Shield and Inherent Resolve, departing Tennessee early last March. The 1-181st is headquartered in Chattanooga with units in Pulaski, Lawrenceburg, Fayetteville and Dayton.
Following the homecoming ceremony, the returning Soldiers completed a short in-processing and were released to go home with their families.
Soldiers have spent the last two weeks at Fort Bliss, Texas, where they completed their demobilization and out-processing procedures. After a long year, members of the 1-181st are happy to be home.
A Soldier with the Tennessee National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 181st Field Artillery Regiment, is greeted by his family after arriving at Smyrna’s Volunteer Training Site, Feb. 6, following a successful 10-month deployment to the Middle East. (photo by Lt. Col. Darrin Haas)