Wisconsin Guard aviators back on home soil

Wisconsin Army National Guard Public Affairs Office

The approximately 300 men and women of the Wisconsin Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment returned home today (June 17) to family, friends and welcome home celebrations in Madison.

"On behalf of the 5.6 million people here in the state of Wisconsin, welcome back to not only the land of beer, brats and cheese, but in the last year the home of the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers," Gov. Scott Walker, commander-in-chief of the Wisconsin National Guard, said to Wisconsin's newest combat veterans. "We are so pleased to have the men and women of the 147th back ... It's important to remember that freedom isn't free."

The 147th "Iron Hawks" mobilized one year ago and deployed in September in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. They were among the 50,000 U.S. troops to remain in Iraq after Operation New Dawn began, and were responsible for all aviation operations - including troop and cargo movements, medevac and attack missions - in United States Division-South, which covers nine provinces of Iraq, including the area south of Baghdad.

"Our nation, the United States Army, the Army National Guard and I owe you guys all a debt of gratitude that I can never repay," Lt. Col. Marty Pond, commander of the 147th, told his battalion as well as family and friends gathered for the brief welcome home ceremony at the 64th Troop Command headquarters in Madison.

"The accolades for the 147th keep rolling in," said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Craig Krenz, state command chief warrant officer. Krenz acknowledged the battalion's recognition as the 2010 Army Aviation Association of America National Guard Unit of the Year for its accomplishments over the past 12 months.

Brig. Gen. Don Dunbar, adjutant general of Wisconsin, also praised the 147th, noting that the battalion essentially replaced 2,000 aviators in Iraq as they assumed a larger role following the safe and responsible drawdown of forces during the transition from Operation Iraqi Freedom to Operation New Dawn.

"They flew more hours and did the job better," Dunbar said. "It is extraordinary what you have done."

Lisa Brown, whose husband Spc. Adam Brown was among the returning Soldiers, savored the end of the deployment.

"It was a long year with him being gone," she said. "But now that I look back at it, it seems like it flew by. I'm just glad he's back."

The Soldiers were released from active duty following the ceremony, having already completed their demobilization at Fort Bliss, Texas before returning to Wisconsin.