Story by Sgt. Sinthia Rosario, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. – After their nine-month deployment in Afghanistan, Soldiers with the 3rd Platoon, 551st Military Police Company “Hooligans,” 716th Military Police Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade “Lifeliners,” 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), successfully completed their mission and proudly returned home April 10, to Fort Campbell.
During the deployment, the unit performed U.S. customs and border protections operations in Kandahar, Afghanistan, ensuring that redeploying personnel were free of contraband or hazardous items.
Families and friends shouted with excitement, as the Soldiers marched in formation with packs on their backs, weapons in their hands and big smiles on their faces.
“I love to see them together like that, the group, it’s just reassuring to me as a father and as a citizen … I’m just glad to have him back,” said Chris Hellrung from Alton, Ill., in reference to his son Spc. Bryan Hellrung, one of the returning Soldiers.
The time away from their loved ones made this homecoming all the more sweeter. With tears of joy and laughter, Families hugged and kissed their Heroes knowing that they were finally safe and sound and in their arms once again.
Staff Sgt. John P. Martinez, a native of Elsa, Texas, and a Military Police with the 551st Military Police Company “Hooligans,” 716th Military Police Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade “Lifeliners,” 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), greets his family with a big hug during a welcome home ceremony April, 10 at Fort Campbell. The Hooligans were deployed in Afghanistan for nine months where they proudly served their country with honor conducting customs missions. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sinthia Rosario)
“To see them come back to Fort Campbell to their families, it is an awesome, awesome feeling,” said Capt. Stephen Donaldson a native of McKinney, Texas, and the commander of the 551st MP Co about his platoon. “We feel more complete. We always feel a little bit empty when a piece of your company is away and I’m sure the families feel the same. It’s awesome to see our Soldiers reunite with their families.”
It is always a challenge to be away from loved ones, but these Soldiers served their country well as the gatekeepers to Operation Enduring Theater. They inspected thousands of troops and pieces of cargo moving in and out of military operating areas.