FORT BLISS, Texas -- The more than 1,000 Oklahoma, Nebraska and Indiana National Guard Citizen-Soldiers of Task Force Tomahawk are safely back on American soil after their nine-month deployment to the Horn of Africa.
Over the last few weeks, members of TF Tomahawk arrived at Fort Bliss, Texas for demobilization and will soon head to their home states where families and friends eagerly await their loved ones’ return.
The Citizen-Soldiers were greeted at Fort Bliss by Oklahoma National Guard leaders including Col. Andrew Ballenger, commander,
45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team who welcomed the returning troops and congratulated them for their hard work and dedication to duty while deployed overseas.
Task Force Tomahawk is made up of units of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team - primarily of the 1st Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment but including companies from the 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment and 2nd Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment (Airborne) - and was responsible for security at multiple locations across several countries in the Horn of Africa as well as manning the East African Response Force.
“It’s always great to be here and welcome our Soldiers back home,” Ballenger said. “I’d also like to offer a sincere ‘thank you’ to the Guard families and employers who supported their Soldiers during this deployment. Their support has made this moment possible.”