GRAND FORKS, ND (Valley News Live) – An emotional homecoming Friday afternoon at Grand Forks International Airport as family members welcomed soldiers home after deployments overseas.
Excitement reigns in a Grand Forks hangar as loved ones anxiously search for a plane. Moments of anticipation are followed by warm hugs that have lasted nearly 10 months.
“Difficult. It was really hard. Not easy, but we did it,” said Sarah Shields of Fargo.
Wives, children, parents and friends. We welcome approximately 100 soldiers from the North Dakota Army National Guard who were stationed in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in the Middle East.
“The happiness is truly the greatest thing. Seeing everyone else smiling, laughing and hugging their loved ones is indescribable,” Shields said.
Shields was there with her five-year-old daughter, waiting for her husband.
“It didn’t really feel real. I really wasn’t prepared for it until I got off the plane,” said Private Korey Rennich. “All these people were able to see their families. That was really cool to see.”
It was Rennich’s first mission.
About 100 soldiers from the North Dakota Army National Guard were deployed to the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility in the Middle East in October.
“I actually volunteered for this one. I’ve been trying to get into combat for a while now, so I was really excited to do this one. I think each time it gets a little more exciting,” explains Alexander Johnson of the North Dakota Army National Guard.
It was Johnson’s third deployment.
“It’s really great to have people who support you. It makes it so much easier out there. I’m very happy to be back home,” Rennich said.
Even those who have to stay behind find support.
“Find something you love to do and immerse yourself in it. Find your support system. My family has been incredible throughout this entire journey. Whenever I needed them, they were there,” Shields explains.
“There is a lot of pride behind it. There is a lot of pride behind the uniform,” said Rennich.
This was the 1-188th ADA’s 13th deployment since 2004, making it the most frequently deployed unit in the North Dakota National Guard.
The Air Defense Force supported Operation Noble Eagle in Washington, DC three times from June 2021 to July 2022, from July 2013 to April 2014, and from March 2017 to February 2018. Over the years, the battalion deployed to Kosovo as part of a NATO peacekeeping mission, and Air Defense Soldiers deployed to Afghanistan six times and Iraq twice.
Welcome home and thank you for your service.
All rights reserved.
