A warm welcome, 49th Military Police Brigade returns home after year-long deployment

  • Published
  • By Nick DeCicco
  • 60th AIr Mobility WIng Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE,Calif. --  Approximately 100 Soldiers returned stateside Aug. 10 after a year-long deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The 49th Military Police Brigade, a California Army National Guard unit headquartered in nearby Fairfield, Calif., spent 365 days training the Iraqi police force.

Hundreds of family members were on hand to welcome the troops home.

Before arrival, the families clustered near the bay doors of one of the base's hangars. When reconnecting, troops hugged and cried with their loved ones who had made banners and flags they struggled to hold on to thanks to Travis' trademark Delta Breeze.

Also on hand was California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as well as the commander of each of the base's three wings: Col. James Vechery for the 60th Air Mobility Wing, Col. John Lipinski with the 615th Contingency Response Wing and Col. Jay Flournoy representing the 349th AMW.

The governor and colonels shook hands with each Solder as he or she exited the plane before the troops met with their families.

"I visited these Soldiers in Iraq last November to thank them for their hard work and I saw the hardships and dangers they faced every day while defending our freedoms," said Governor Schwarzenegger in a press statement.

Having the governor on hand was a nice touch to the brigade's Sgt. David Baynes, who said he had breakfast with the actor-turned-politician when he visited Baghdad.

"It's nice to see people recognize what we do, actually," he said. "It's good to see people take an interest."

The purpose of the 49th MP brigade's year-long tour was to train the Iraqi police force, transferring their knowledge as Guard members so it can be implemented as U.S. forces' numbers thin.

The brigade is the last such unit dispatched to Iraq as the drawdown of what will soon be known as Operation New Dawn proceeds.

The deployment was the second of its kind for members of the 49th. The first came in 2005. Members of the brigade were part of the first wave to train Iraqi police forces, giving some members a sense of satisfaction to see the training progress through several years.

Spc. Daniel Greene was part of both deployments and said the little changes were the most noticeable growth on the trainees' part.

"It was small stuff like their equipment, they would take better care of it, or following procedures," he said.

Keeping in touch with the Soldiers while they were improving the quality of the Iraqi police was a tricky necessity according to the families awaiting them.

For Sergeant Baynes' loved ones, having regular contact with him via the Internet video chat application Skype was a treat.

"It was so nice to have a face, not just hear his voice," said Kim Baynes, his mother. "It gives you a better sense that they are OK."

Mark Baynes, the sergeant's father, said he took note of Governor Schwarzenegger's appearance.

"It shows how deep the support goes," said Mark Baynes of Livermore, Calif.

While the Bayneses awaited their sergeant, Don Lucas, a resident of Fairfield, was peering out the hangar bay doors, eyeing the flight line for a glimpse of the troops' aircraft.

Mr. Lucas awaited the arrival of his son, Spc. Eric Lucas, who he spoke to hours early by phone.

"He was anxious to get home," Mr. Lucas said with a chuckle. "I'm glad he's back."

The brigade's commander, Brig. Gen. Donald Currier, gave his troops the credit for the mission, during which not a single member of the unit was fatally wounded.

"I am thankful to the Soldiers within my brigade who ultimately are responsible for the 49th's success in Iraq," said General Currier, commander of the 49th MP brigade, said in a press statement.

After a job well done, several of the Soldiers said they looked forward to getting back to work and enjoying the familiar touches and pleasures of home.

Specialist Greene, for example, a Fairfield resident, was keen to satisfy a hunger that nagged him throughout his deployment, mentioning a visit to a favorite local hamburger restaurant was in his near future.