133rd Engineer Battalion, Hero Welcome

AUGUSTA, ME (06/30/2014)(readMedia)-- Tuesday, July 1, 2014 Soldiers of 133rd Engineer Battalion are expected to arrive home after a year- long deployment to Afghanistan and will be welcomed by friends and family at a public ceremony. The Soldiers are expected to arrive by bus at the Augusta Armory on 179 Western Avenue at approximately 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

On August 10th, 2013, the 133rd was mobilized in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, acting as the primary Materiel Recovery Element Engineer Force, completing over 241 troop missions. In this time, the 133rd closed three bases, transitioned two bases to assistance platforms, and completed the retrograde of one additional base.

The Soldiers of the battalion conducted missions on nine different bases throughout Afghanistan. The Soldiers of the 133rd have demilitarized or deconstructed over 1,650 structures, disposed of 5,900 truckloads of debris, hauled 364,000 cubic yards of gravel, destroyed two miles of military barriers, constructed three miles of safety barriers, recycled 38 miles of electrical wire, and developed acres of usable space on enduring bases to support the responsible retrograde of U.S. Forces from Afghanistan.

Homecomings have been a military tradition and are an important step in reintegration. The event is intended to formally recognize the Soldiers and their families.

Soldiers will enter the building from a side entrance and after a short formation on stage be released to waiting family and friends on the drill hall floor.

Governor Paul R. LePage and members from the congressional delegation will be in attendance.

This event is open to the public and all media is welcome.

Please check the Maine Army National Guard Facebook page for updates on their exact arrival.