The building exploded in cheers and tears of happiness flowed as the curtain was raised on approximately 60 soldiers from the 17th Field Artillery Headquarters, Headquarters Battery, and 256 Signal Company, 7th Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., signifying the end of a nine-month deployment to Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Inherent Resolve.

The soldiers were welcomed and recognized during the welcome home and uncasing of the colors ceremony at JBLM Lewis North's Wilson Gym, Jan. 12. During its welcome home ceremony, the brigade uncased its colors, symbolizing the continued readiness of the brigade after completing its distinguished service in the Central Command Area of Responsibility in support of both, Operation Enduring Freedom and Inherent Resolve.

The 17th Field Artillery Brigade Headquarters cased its colors in April of 2014. The headquarters, led by Col. Tim F. Kehoe, 17th Field Artillery Brigade, Commander and Command Sgt. Maj. Edward E. Russell, 17th Field Artillery Bde, Command Sgt. Major, spent nine months in Kuwait, where they conducted multiple successful training exercises and formed bonds and partnerships with other units.

The brigade headquarters and headquarters battery took critical roles in security cooperation engagements and building partner capacity among countries like Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and United Arab Emirates. Furthermore, the brigade headquarters set the conditions for improved regional security and stability.

As the soldiers answered the call to duty, families have also endured the burden of a deployment and made significant sacrifices. Families and friends of the brigade gathered at the ceremony with enthusiastic welcome signs and excitement in their cheers.

"These soldiers are our extended family members and they're coming home, I can only imagine what it feels like for their actual family members. Thinking back on my own deployments, this was a chance to see it from the perspective of welcoming home our second family," said Sgt. First Class Derek White, Equal Opportunity Non-Commissioned Officer, 17th Field Artillery Brigade.

White said, "given the ever changing mission that our soldiers had and the broad footprint that they covered must have been difficult, but they were extremely successful and it is a testament to our units overall flexibility and what makes us American's Premier High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) Brigade."

"We are very happy to have them home," said White.

For more photos and information on the deployment you can follow the 17th Field Artillery Brigade Social Media page at https://www.facebook.com/17thFieldArtilleryBrigade?ref=bookmarks.