Alaska Army Guardsmen return home after 9-month Middle East deployment

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska (KTUU) - Soldiers deployed overseas for the past nine months returned home in early August, greeted with a welcoming ceremony held at the Alaska National Guard Readiness Center on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER).

Approximately 100 Alaska Army National Guardsmen assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Batallion, 297th Infantry Regiment — otherwise known as “Bison” Company — were deployed to Kuwait in November 2023, mobilizing in support of Operation Spartan Shield.

The regiment left Alaska in late September to attend final pre-deployment training in Fort Bliss, Texas, before going to Kuwait.

Alaska Army National Guard Sgt. Jene Thompson said she was relieved to be back in the moderate temperatures Alaska presents.

“To be out of that continual sun — I’m so happy to be back home at this time of year, specifically the climate,” Thompson said.

It was a sentiment echoed by returning 1st Lt. Joshua Banks.

“It feels great to be back in Alaska after the deployment,” Banks said. “Stepping off the plane and getting that good Alaska air — there’s nothing better than that.”

After soldiers deboarded the plane, the regiment formed up briefly before being dismissed, released to join their families and loved ones waiting inside the center.

Thompson said she couldn’t believe how quickly nine months came and went.

“It honestly feels like I blinked, this mobilization went by so fast for me,” Thompson said.

Before the deployment, Thompson had about a year and a half left in her enlistment when she decided she wanted to get a deployment under her belt.

By the time she returned, she had committed to three more years with an Active Guard Reserve job waiting for her.

“The leadership piece was something I’m very grateful for,” Thompson said. “I was my company’s unit supply [Non-Commissioned Officer], and about halfway through I became the platoon sergeant for the headquarters section of the Bison Company, so all in all, I got to learn how to do my job a lot better.”

The professional development was also a highlight for Banks.

“Being able to deploy with a bunch of other Alaskans was a really cool opportunity that’s unique to the Guard, and I think we came back and brought a lot of better-educated soldiers back to the Alaska guard,” Banks said.

Both Banks and Thompson said one of their favorite parts of the deployment was getting to know the other soldiers within their company.

The regiment exceeded expectations, having been originally tasked with four missions, the company completed seven successfully.

The soldiers deployed in support of U.S. Central Command continuing efforts to increase regional security.

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