Fort Bragg's Falcon Brigade Commander talks fight against ISIS, troops coming home

FORT BRAGG, North Carolina (WTVD) -- Fort Bragg's Falcon Brigade spoke with ABC11 about the fight against ISIS. The Second Brigade combat team has been on the ground in Iraq helping forces liberate the city of Mosul. It's been a violent mission that has claimed the lives of three soldiers.

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Col. Pat Work and much of the unit are back home in Fort Bragg. They are taking time off from what has been an extensive deployment.

Almost 2,000 paratroopers were deployed in December of last year to Syria and Iraq. It's been a deadly mission that's killed some in combat and others conducting missions.

The war has left many military families coping with the loss of fallen soldiers. Work said as the fight against ISIS continues, he works to communicate with families of paratroopers the challenges and risks they make before deploying.

"I have such extraordinary respect for these volunteers and their families who continue to say 'send me' during our nation's longest war. We've been at this for over 16 years now. I strive to be the commander that we deserve," Work said.

The remainder of the brigade returns Wednesday.