Senator Ayotte Welcomes NH National Guard Troops Home From Deployment

Statement

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released this statement welcoming home New Hampshire members of the 197th Fires Brigade who are returning from deployment overseas. Nearly 700 New Hampshire National Guard members have been deployed in Kuwait for the past 11 months to support Operation New Dawn, and today marks the return of the first large group of soldiers of the 197th. This deployment represents the largest New Hampshire National Guard deployment since World War II.

"The soldiers of the 197th carried out a broad range of critical missions in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and they performed their duties with courage, perseverance, and skill. Their families have also sacrificed much to support the mission from the home front. As a military spouse, I know what a joyful feeling it is to be reunited with loved ones after months of separation, and I join New Hampshire citizens in welcoming home members of the 197th. I want to thank the men and women of the 197th for their brave and dedicated service to our country."

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