Sustainment Soldiers return after 9-month Afghanistan deployment

News Release from PAO, March 10, 2014

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - More than 60 Soldiers from the 524th Combat
Sustainment Support Battalion, 45th Sustainment Brigade, reunited with their
families here yesterday following a nine month deployment in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom. 

Upon arriving in Afghanistan, the unit immediately took command of Task
Force Hannibal and assumed the responsibility of sustaining U.S. and
coalition forces in Regional Command North. Under 524th leadership, the TF's
successes included more than 140 tactical convoys, 900 equipment/supply
loads, and four forward operating base closures.
 
Hundreds of families flooded the unit's parking lot here yesterday, holding
homemade welcome home signs, screaming, and waving as the buses arrived with
their troops. Some of the smallest crowd members waited to meet their
parents for the first time. 

"He deployed while we were pregnant," said Kristina Wellman, wife of Spc.
Joshua Wellman, the unit's chaplain assistant. "He was there on Skype when I
had Evan (five months ago). We are so excited for him to get home and meet
his son for the first time."
  
Spc. Jose Lopez, an automated logistics specialist with the unit, also held
his 2-month-old son, Peyton, for the first time moments after he got off the
bus. 

"Peyton is our first child, so I know he's been counting down the days to
finally hold him," said Larysa Lopez.

The unit's command quickly dismissed the troops into the arms of their
family.

The 524th CSSB is part of the 8th TSC, the senior Army logistics command in
the Pacific, responsible for logistics and supply for land operations
throughout the theater, employing 167 different skill sets, with 35 unique
capabilities, to include Military Police, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Army
Watercraft, Dive and Engineer operations.

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LINK: FB Album of photos