Boeing Chinook News from Connecticut

 

 

Windsor Locks

 

 

Happy homecoming for the 104th

 

 

18 April 2004: Eighty-five Connecticut soldiers of the 104th Aviation Regiment arrived Sunday at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey after being abroad for more than a year.

Pilots, mechanics, and other personnel from the Chinook helicopter unit based out of Windsor Locks were serving as part of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

The 104th was mobilized back in February of 2003. The troops spent time in Turkey, Germany and Kandahar. Some of the men and women of the unit feared their next stop might be Iraq.

"We were getting a little nervous that they might turn us over to Iraq but we're back home now," said Matthew McCullough of Berlin.

The soldiers of the unit spent the majority of their time in Afghanistan where they were in charge of maintaining a safe and secure environment for their fellow troops. The unit was awarded the 2003 Outstanding Army Aviation unit of the year by the Army Aviation Association of America for their services.

After spending 14 months away from their families troops are understandably happy to be back in the United States.

"I don't think anybody is really sure that we're home," said Robert Derick of Brookfield,"... I mean we know we're home we haven't seen our families in quite a while, it will be great to talk with them and see them."

Tonight those men and women are at Fort Dix, New Jersey undergoing the demobilization process. They will reunite with their families after that process is complete next week.

 

 

 

Windsor Locks, Connecticut, 19 February 2003: United States Army National Guard families stand together during departure ceremonies for Company G, 104th Aviation, as about 100 soldiers are mobilized in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) on Wednesday.

 

 

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