Afghan tour ends for state Guard troops

Wisconsin National Guard leaders welcomed home 17 soldiers from Afghanistan during a brief midnight ceremony Tuesday, May 12, at Fort Riley, Kan.

The soldiers, mostly from the Milwaukee-based 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, just completed a one-year tour of duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom — 10 months in Afghanistan. There they served as part of Coalition Joint Task Force Phoenix — comprised of active duty and reserve component soldiers and Marines, as well as military from other nations — which trained and advised the Afghan National Police.

Lt. Col. John Passet of the 157th MEB led the Wisconsin contingent and served as a senior mentor for Nangarhar province, which has 22 districts and one city. His team was spread throughout the country and the mission had its share of challenges and rewards. “They have their way of doing things, and so do we,” he explained. “We didn’t fix their problems for them. You prioritize — you try to help the unit the best you can without spoonfeeding them.”

Passet said his troops were very successful in teaching the Afghan nationals new things and earning the respect of senior leaders. One such expression of gratitude came from Afghan President Hamid Karzai, whom Passet said he met as an invited guest of the Nangarhar governor, Gul Agha Sherzai.

The Wisconsin soldiers are spending the week completing demobilization activities at Fort Riley and will then return home to friends and family. A formal welcome home celebration is being planned for a later date.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, nearly every unit in the Wisconsin Army and Air National Guard has been ordered to active duty in support of the Global War on Terror. With the return of these soldiers nearly 3,500 soldiers and airmen remain on active duty. However, up to 6,500 members are available in Wisconsin and are fully capable of responding to homeland security or defense missions anywhere in the state or nation.