FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers with 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, enter the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center Dec. 16, 2018, to cheers from Family and friends during a redeployment ceremony. The brigade is returning after a nine-month rotation in Afghanistan after supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and the train, advise and assist mission with their Afghan counterparts. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Perkey)
By Staff Sgt. Chris Perkey
1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Christmas came early for more than 150 Soldiers from the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, who returned from Afghanistan to cheers of Family and friends during a late evening redeployment ceremony Dec. 16 at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center.
The bleachers were packed with hundreds of people ready to welcome the “Raider” Brigade home.
Patriotic songs blasted over the loud speakers as Soldiers marched into the events center through a cloud of smoke, but the songs were no match for the roar of the crowd.
After a brief welcome home speech, the Soldiers were released to their Families who raced into their arms.
“I am really excited that he is going to be here because I think this baby is coming soon,” said a pregnant Elizabeth Reinke, wife of Staff Sgt. Brandon Reinke, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 1st SBCT.
In addition to being one of the first of many redeployment flights, the ceremony also marked another great first for the King Family.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Staff Sgt. Brandon Reinke, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, feels his wife’s stomach for a kick from his unborn child after being reunited following deployment to Afghanistan, Dec. 16, 2018, at a redeployment ceremony held at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Perkey)
During the reunion, Sgt. Andrew King, paralegal, 1st SBCT met his 2-month-old son, Michael for the first time.
“It was breathtaking. The whole room was him,” said King. “It is the greatest feeling of love I have ever felt.”
With tears running down many faces at the events center, loved ones rushed to embrace their Soldiers, making their Family complete again.
“I have waited eight months for this day to come,” said Julianne King, wife of Andrew King. “My son has his daddy home now. It is the best feeling ever.”
Approximately 3,000 Soldiers from the 1st SBCT deployed to Afghanistan earlier this year in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel conducting the train, advise and assist mission with their Afghan counterparts. The brigade is scheduled to redeploy the Soldiers throughout the next few months.
For more photos, visit the 1st SBCT’s Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/129816646@N07.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Sgt. Andrew King, a paralegal with 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, holds his 2-month old son, Michael for the first time as his wife, Julianne looks adoringly at her Family during a redeployment ceremony Dec. 16, 2018, at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Perkey)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Sgt. Mick Matheson, 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, is reunited with his son, Axel and his wife, Cassie Dec. 16, 2018, after a deployment to Afghanistan during a redeployment ceremony at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Perkey)