Hunter Army Airfield, GA

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It was almost a year ago that Soldiers from 1st Platoon, 473rd Quartermaster Company, 260th Quartermaster Battalion deployed to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn as part of the Army’s Redistribution Property Accountability Team.

On May 3, about 30 of these Soldiers returned home and were welcomed by friends and Family Members at the Tominac Fitness Center, on Hunter Army Airfield. For first-time dad, Spc. Dominic Ellison, holding his two-month-old son for the first time was overwhelming. “I cannot find words to express how I feel at this moment” Spc. Ellison said.

Although the air was filled with thunderous applause, joyous shouts and happy tears, there was a sense of sadness amongst the Soldiers, who still have some of their “battle buddies” down range.

“Coming back home is bittersweet for me, as the platoon sergeant, because I don’t have everyone here with me,” said Sgt. 1st Class Ronald McCoy Jr. “Granted, I have the majority of the young, first-time deployed Soldiers with me and I am happy to be able to bring them home to their loved ones and see the expressions on their faces; but my heart is still with my Soldiers who are still (deployed).

The 473rd QM Co. was crucial in processing all equipment from theater. They assisted in closing down units in different locations – unit Soldiers were sent on various missions throughout, Afghanistan and Kuwait. Some Soldiers of 473rd were sent back to the U.S. to instruct incoming personnel from Camp Shelby, Miss., on Redistribution Property Accountability.

“The deployment was a great challenge, not only for myself but for my Soldiers as well,” said Sgt. 1st Class McCoy. “We were faced with a lot of difficult tasks and we worked day and night to accomplish the mission.”