Washington Rifles Return Home!
Story by LTC Harry
Gonzalez & MSG Jeff Clayton;
Photos by SGT Michael Gaul - Posted Mar, 2005
The Guardsmen of
the 81st Brigade Combat Team (BCT) began arriving from
their yearlong deployment in the CENTCOM Area of
Responsibility (AOR) mid-February. Family and friends
have greeted the returning Soldiers at Welcome Home
receptions at Fort Lewis. Approximately 2,800 Washington
Army National Guardsmen have already returned, and the
remainder of the unit is expected back by early April.
Following a massive send-off at the Tacoma Dome in Feb of 2004,
the Guardsmen of the 81st Brigade Combat Team (BCT) traveled to
the Fort Irwin CA and the National Training Center for
approximately 30 days of training. Immediately thereafter
they traveled through Kuwait and into positions throughout Iraq,
and other locations in South West Asia.
Now, after 12 months of "boots-on-the-ground",
the men and women of the 81st are headed home.
Members
of the 81st BCT were stationed at locations across Iraq
including Mosul, Balad, Baghdad, the International Airport, and
various locations in southern Iraq, including Tallil Air Base.
Guardsmen were also stationed in Saudi Arabia at Eskan Village,
and in Kuwait City, Kuwait.
The BCT distinguished themselves by
successfully conducting 9,075 combat patrols, 77 combat raids,
197 cordon and searches, and participated in 162 combat
engagements.
This past month has marked
the return of several other smaller, though no less important
Washington Army National Guard units. Among them are the 116th
and 248th Rear Area Operations Centers, members of the 341st
Military Intelligence Battalion, the 122nd Mobile Public Affairs
Detachment, and Field Support Team Favero of the Information
Operations Support Center. (See our Operations Section for more information).
Their success however, came at a high price; 9 brigade Guardsmen made
the ultimate sacrifice - three from Washington, five from California,
and one from Michigan. These fine Guardsmen will never be
forgotten...
In Memory of the 81st Brigade's Combat Losses
SGT Jeffrey R. Shaver
killed in action 12 May, 2004
SPC Daniel P. Unger
killed in action 26 May, 2004
2LT Andre D. Tyson killed in action 22 Jun, 2004
SPC Patrick R. McCaffrey killed
in action 22 Jun, 2004
SPC Jeremiah W. Schmunk
killed in action 08 Jul, 2004
SPC Donald R. McCune II died of wounds 05
Aug, 2004
SGT Qouc Tran killed in
action 07 Nov 2004
SFC Michael Ottolini
killed in action 10 Nov 2004
SGT Damien T. Ficek killed in
action 30 Dec 04
CPL Glenn J. Watkins died of wounds 05 Apr 05
