ANCHORAGE (KTUU) – About 100 members of the Alaska Army National Guard returned to the state on Aug. 10 after being deployed to Kuwait for nine months.
Stormy weather on Saturday caused delays in the landing of a plane full of National Guard troops that was scheduled to land at JBER at 3 p.m. The delay did not dampen the spirits of those waiting to return. Some of the waiting family members said they had no big plans for their first night home other than spending time with loved ones.
“We’re going to have a little party with cake…” said Braelynn Campiglia-Meza, who was waiting for her stepfather. “We’re going to have pizza, and he’s going to cook much better than my mom.”
Melanie Carey, who was waiting for her husband to return, said the hardest part of her deployment was being a single mother. She said her husband, Sergeant First Class Sean Carey, would be home in time to celebrate their son’s birthday.
Affectionately known as the “Bison Company Guardsmen,” the soldiers of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of operations in November 2023 and will be able to enjoy three months without training upon their return, officials said.
The ceremony was originally scheduled for Saturday, but was postponed until December, mainly due to windy and rainy weather.
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