190 soldiers back from Ebola mission in Liberia

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. – Fort Campbell's Hangar 3 was busier than usual on Tuesday as 190 soldiers arrived on two flights from Fort Bliss, Texas. The diverse group of soldiers just completed their 21 days of controlled monitoring after a six-month humanitarian mission to Africa.

Among those returning Tuesday afternoon was Brig. Gen. Frank W. Tate, 101st Airborne Division deputy commanding general for support. Tate arrived on the second plane, which landed just before 4 p.m.

Family, friends and fellow soldiers were on hand to welcome home the returning soldiers from their deployment in West Africa, where the unit provided humanitarian assistance in support of Operation United Assistance, a comprehensive multinational response to the Ebola pandemic.

Maj. Gen. Gary J. Volesky, commanding general of the 101st and Fort Campbell, was on hand for Tuesday's welcoming ceremony, encouraging the crowd.

"I need your help," said Volesky. "Those doors are pretty heavy, so on the count of three, I need you all to scream at the top of your voice, 'Open those doors.' That's going to motivate those great Americans to give all they can give. Are you ready? 1 - 2 - 3."

The crowd of supporters and loved ones responded enthusiastically to the general's request, and as the doors opened, 96 soldiers who arrived on the first plane marched into the building.

"Let's give them a round of applause," said Volesky, "for their great effort over the last six months in Liberia to make a difference. You all spent the last six months looking out for each other. Now continue to do so and have a great, great reunion, Air Assault."

A small number of Fort Campbell soldiers remain in West Africa, but the vast majority have returned, OUA mission parameters having been met.

Tony Centonze

Freelance writer

news@theleafchronicle.com