FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Approximately 100 soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team “Bastogne,” 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), will return from a deployment to Cameroon Wednesday.
These “Red Currahee” soldiers made up the majority of Task Force Toccoa, deployed to northern Cameroon between September 2016 and January 2017. This group was the first conventional element of the 101st in the history of the division to deploy to Cameroon.
TF Toccoa’s mission was to conduct the Base Operations Security – Infrastructure mission at Contingency Location (CL) Garoua, Cameroon, in order to provide force protection and enhance United States government strategic relationships, access, and influence in the area.
TF Toccoa worked with the Cameroonian Air Force, State Department, non-government organizations and hosted nation partners to expand positive relationships and enable security in the region. In addition they worked closely with U.S. Army Civil Affairs teams. Highlights include: meetings with the U.S. ambassador, the Cameroonian Minister of Defense, and Regional Governor and Mayor of Garoua; delivering multiple shipments of desks and school supplies to local schoolchildren; medical outreach delivering immunizations to dozens of children ages 0-5; and delivering toys, clothing and equipment to a local orphanage.
The Bastogne Brigade is the Regionally Aligned Force supporting U.S. Army Africa (USARAF) events and exercises across the African continent this year. USARAF brings the Army team to assist our partners in building ready forces and operating as part of a multi-national coalition. The brigade’s soldiers will deploy to more than 20 African countries this year to support training events, coalition exercises and other missions. These soldiers will assist in the improvement of readiness, promote interoperability, build capacity and strengthen partner relationships on the continent of Africa.
The welcome home ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday. Times are subject to change with short notice.
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