Despite the steady rain that fell yesterday morning, Major General John Johnson, commander, I Corps, thought the weather brought relief.

"It's a great day in spite of the rain," commented Johnson prior to the 17th Fires Brigade's uncasing ceremony at Soldier Field House.

"It beats the heat these soldiers felt while in Basra; the rain feels good today."

Approximately 1,000 soldiers recently returned from a 12-month deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Two other smaller units had already returned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord in February and March after serving with Multi-National Division Baghdad.

The brigade's 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS) will return from Afghanistan next month.

The brigade's Headquarters and Headquarters Battery provided command and control to about half of the personnel assigned to "Task Force Thunderbolt," a task force comprised of US service members who worked with the 14th Iraqi Army Division, Iraqi Police and the Department of Border Enforcement.

Personnel also worked with local government officials and the area's Provincial Reconstruction Team to support government and military operations.

The task force provided management and oversight for more than 100 civil support projects to restore water treatment and electricity generation.

Over 2 million Iraqi citizens were affected by the task force's efforts while also conducting over 3,000 combat patrols.

Along with the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, the 256th Signal Company, 1st Battalion (Air Assault), 377th Field Artillery Regiment, 606th Forward Support Company and the 308th Brigade Support Battalion also deployed.

"The task you accomplished was simply historic," said Col. Steven Bullimore, brigade commander.