Missouri National Guard’s ‘First Attack’ returns from Afghanistan deployment

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Ed Borgstadt, 1-135th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion operations NCO in charge, kisses his three-week-old grandson for the first time following the unit's welcome-home ceremony at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo., Feb. 9, 2014. Borgstadt returned home after a year-long deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nick Wilson/Released)

Missouri National Guard’s ‘First Attack’ returns from Afghanistan deployment

Friends, family members and military supporters from Warrensburg’s local community celebrate during a welcome-home ceremony for Soldiers from the U.S. Army 1-135th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo., Feb. 9, 2014. More than 320 soldiers deployed to Afghanistan on a yearlong deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nick Wilson/Released)

Missouri National Guard’s ‘First Attack’ returns from Afghanistan deployment

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 1-135th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion bow their heads during the unit's welcome-home ceremony at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo., Feb. 9, 2014. The unit, which flies the AH-64D Apache helicopter, deployed more than 300 soldiers to Afghanistan to aid in Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nick Wilson/Released)

Missouri National Guard’s ‘First Attack’ returns from Afghanistan deployment

U.S. Army. 1st Lt. Grant Karr, 1-135th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, receives a kiss from his wife, Emily, as he holds his six-month old son following the unit's welcome-home ceremony at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo., Feb. 9, 2014. Karr deployed to Afghanistan with more than 300 other soldiers in aid of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nick Wilson/Released)

Missouri National Guard’s ‘First Attack’ returns from Afghanistan deployment

U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer II Patrick Stueve, 1-135th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion pilot, signals to his family during a ceremony in honor of their return from a deployment at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo., Feb. 9, 2014. More than 300 soldiers deployed to Afghanistan on a year-long deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nick Wilson/Released)

Missouri National Guard's 'First Attack' returns from Afghanistan deployment

Published Feb. 14, 2014
By Capt. John Quin
131st Bomb Wing Public Affairs

WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- Despite the cold and snow, more than 6,000 friends, family and community supporters gathered at the University of Central Missouri to welcome home more than 320 Missouri National Guard Soldiers from the Army's 1-135th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion on Feb. 9, 2014.

Since July 2013, the Soldiers had served as a 24-hour quick reaction force working alongside NATO allies in northern Afghanistan, including Germany, Sweden and Armenia, conducting missions including convoy security, air assault and reconnaissance, said 1-135th Commander Lt. Col. James P. Schreffler.

"One thing I wanted to make sure of is that every Soldier understood our role in Afghan history," Schreffler said. "We played a key role in the stability of Afghanistan for its citizens. This is a critical year as they move into elections in April. The Taliban obviously wants to disrupt that process, and our coalition forces ought to be proud of their role in providing security to that nation."

Once in theater, the unit joined National Guard, active duty and allied forces as part of a task force made up of 37 aircraft with a wide range of missions.

Commanded by Schreffler and Command Sgt. Maj. David C. Gail, "Task Force Reaper" completed more than 8,600 flight hours supporting security operations in Afghanistan.

The battalion's Soldiers were awarded more than 300 individual awards, including one Purple Heart, 48 Air Medals for Achievement, and 20 Combat Action Badges.

The mobilization process started for the 1-135th in February 2013 when unit members conducted a complex 30-day validation in Idaho. In March, the unit moved to Fort Hood, Texas, to conduct pre-deployment training.

Despite driving snow and icy conditions, family and friends filled the seats of the University's multipurpose building.

"I didn't expect anything less, based on the tremendous support we've received from the community the entire time," said Schreffler, who is an assistant professor of military science (ROTC) at the College of the Ozarks in Branson, Mo.

The conditions were similar when the unit deployed in 2013, said University of Central Missouri President Chuck Ambrose. Ambrose thanked the unit for flying the university's flag while in Afghanistan.

"When we gathered here last March it was snowing, too - the weather hasn't changed since you left," Ambrose said. "Another thing that hasn't changed is that you never left our thoughts and prayers."

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