Last of 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade deployed troops return to Fort Bragg
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (WTVD) -- After a nine-month deployment in Afghanistan, the last troops of the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division returned home to Fort Bragg on Wednesday.
In September 2014, 1,700 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne were deployed to serve in Operation Enduring Freedom. At the start of the troop drawdown in December 2014, 1,000 soldiers came back. The rest stayed to support Afghan security forces in Operation Freedom's Sentinel.
On Wednesday afternoon, the last 120 troops with 82nd CAB came home to their families, who were anxiously awaiting their return at Simmons Army Airfield.
"It's just good to get my arms around them and have them hug on your neck the whole time," said Lt. Col. Bryan Chivers, while holding a daughter in each arm.
During their deployment, the 82nd CAB carried out combat aviation operations, provided aerial medical evacuation support, and overhead reconnaissance with air weapons teams.
