LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 19, 2010) — Hundreds of friends and Family members cheered on as Task Force Dragon Warrior arrived at Keeneland Race Park today following a 10-month deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The crowd was part of a welcome home ceremony honoring the 167 Soldiers assigned to Task Force Dragon Warrior comprised of the 299
th Chemical Company based in Maysville and the 301
st Chemical Company from Morehead.
“I’ve told these Soldiers thank you, but I also must say thank you to the Families of these fine Soldiers as well. We recognize the sacrifice you made as well by not having your loved one with you this year,” said Maj. Gen. Edward Tonini, adjutant general of Kentucky.
The task force arrived in Iraq in June 2009, and was assigned to run protective service details for the United Nations and the U.S. Department of State, as well as security missions at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.
“The most rewarding part of this deployment was witnessing how much the country has improved since we first began the war," said 1st Sgt. James B. Coyne.
“We are gradually preparing Iraq to take back control of their country and begin to operate effectively,” he said.