135th ESC returns to Alabama from year-long deployment in Kuwait

Staff Sgt. Samuel Hartley
·2 min read

BIRMINGHAM — Alabama Army National Guardsmen from the 135th Expeditionary Sustainment Command (ESC) reunited with their families January 14, 2023, after a year-long deployment to Kuwait.

“I’m in disbelief that I’m home,” said Specialist Julius Shelton. “I’m really looking forward to seeing my family and spending time with them again.”

Alabama National Guard Major Joshua Sik stands with his wife and two young children at the welcome home ceremony for the 135th Expeditionary Sustainment Command in Birmingham, Ala., January 14, 2023.
Alabama National Guard Major Joshua Sik stands with his wife and two young children at the welcome home ceremony for the 135th Expeditionary Sustainment Command in Birmingham, Ala., January 14, 2023.

Families, friends, and loved ones all filled the auditorium of the Church of the Highlands Grants Mills campus, anxiously and excitedly awaiting the return of their soldier.

“Our families have carried the load while we were gone,” commented 135th ESC Command Sergeant Major Kevin Gaiser. “Now we’re back, and we have to reintegrate and return to our roles in the families we unfortunately had to leave behind last year.”

Guardsmen must overcome many hardships on deployments, including time away from those at home and maintaining healthy and necessary relationships.

135th Expeditionary Sustainment Commanding General and Alabama National Guard Brigadier General Thomas Vickers is seen on stage and on screen addressing his soldiers during their post-deployment welcome home ceremony in Birmingham, Ala., January 14, 2023. The emotional speech crowned a long awaited return home by soldiers from the 135th ESC and their families.

“The first time I left, my children were little. I’ve deployed many times since then, but now my children are grown, and it almost felt harder to leave them behind this time,” Gaiser added.

However, not every part of the deployment is a melancholy experience. Guardsmen have their own ways of making the most out of their time overseas.

“I really enjoyed getting to know new people, working with them over there and spending time with those in the unit or in the military that you would never get the chance to know without being deployed,” stated Shelton. “ At one point, I was able to go to Qatar and work alongside the Airforce, and I think that was the best part of the entire deployment.”

Alabama Army National Guard Captain Boem Jung stands behind a ‘welcome home’ banner with his family in Birmingham, Ala., January 14, 2023. Jung has just returned from a deployment with the 135th Expeditionary Sustainment Command in Kuwait.
Alabama Army National Guard Captain Boem Jung stands behind a ‘welcome home’ banner with his family in Birmingham, Ala., January 14, 2023. Jung has just returned from a deployment with the 135th Expeditionary Sustainment Command in Kuwait.

Gaiser justified his deployment experience the way many soldiers do by saying, “we serve like everyone else serves, and it is an honor to serve.”

“It’s about the camaraderie that’s built, the relationships you have while you are gone,” added 135th ESC Commander Brigadier General Thomas Vickers. “But, it never gets old when you hear those pilots say ‘welcome home.’”

Despite the sensitive nature of the event, Guardsmen found a couple simple, if not humorous, luxuries to look for after the ceremony.

A large ‘Welcome Home’ projection greets Alabama Army National Guard soldiers from the 135th Expeditionary Sustainment Command at a return home ceremony in Birmingham, Ala., January 14, 2023. Soldiers were returning from a year-long mobilization to Kuwait in support of the U.S. Central Command.
A large ‘Welcome Home’ projection greets Alabama Army National Guard soldiers from the 135th Expeditionary Sustainment Command at a return home ceremony in Birmingham, Ala., January 14, 2023. Soldiers were returning from a year-long mobilization to Kuwait in support of the U.S. Central Command.

“I’m going to be honest, I would really like to have some chili dogs,” said Gaiser.

Many of these soldiers can expect a month to recover and reintegrate to their daily lives back in Alabama, but Vickers says the 135th ESC still has a part to play in its effort sustaining freedom.

“The Army has become dependent on the National Guard, so while we take this time to reunite with our families and reward ourselves for a job well done, we have to go back to being ready.”

Alabama National Guardsmen in the 135th Expeditionary Sustainment Command approach their seats during their welcome home ceremony in Birmingham, Ala., January 14, 2023. These same soldiers will be released to be with their families after a deployment to Kuwait within the hour.
Alabama National Guardsmen in the 135th Expeditionary Sustainment Command approach their seats during their welcome home ceremony in Birmingham, Ala., January 14, 2023. These same soldiers will be released to be with their families after a deployment to Kuwait within the hour.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: 135th ESC returns to Alabama from year-long deployment in Kuwait