Soldiers return to Fort Rucker after deployment

FORT RUCKER – Christmas was the only time 4-year-old Trenton Brown had seen his mom in more than a year.

He and his four-year-old cousin J’marian were wondering when Christmas would come around again.

They got their wish early Friday morning.

Despite a four-day delay in her return, Trenton’s mother, Master Sgt. Kimberly Brown, returned to Fort Rucker Army Aviation Museum early Friday with 96 soldiers from the 164th Theater Airfield Operations Group and 1-58th Airfield Operations Battalion.

The soldiers were deployed for about 18 months to support Overseas Contingency Operations in Iraq. Their primary mission was to conduct air traffic control operations, according to the installation’s public affairs office.

Brown’s husband, Trenton, said the largest task during his wife’s deployment was learning how to style hair and care for the boys, including 14-year-old-son, Kendall. The couple also has a daughter.

“We had a great network of friends helping us here, which was a huge help,” Trenton said.

Spec. Brennan Gordon’s wife and fellow soldier, Amanda, waited anxiously with their 4-month-old daughter as he unloaded from a bus.

Amanda said she found out a week after Gordon was deployed that she was pregnant. Spec. Gordon’s friend, Ryan Pyle, said he left Kansas to help care for Gordon’s daughter and to see his friend return.

Some of the soldiers’ families already had plans for the rest of the day. The first thing Sgt. Kevin Pfeiffer’s family said they planned was to drink beer by the pool and eat some mashed potatoes prepared by his mother-in-law, Carol Kranak.

The family of Sgt. 1st Class Harold Franklin said they would settle for hugs.

“It’s been frustrating not having him here,” said his 14-year-old daughter, Jayla Franklin.

“You make good grades, but Dad’s not there. Make the basketball team, but Dad’s not there. It’s hard so I’m just really glad to see him back.”

About nine of the soldiers who returned Friday had redeployed before.

Chief Warrant Officer 4 William Haaren I said his son, Sgt. William Haaren II, had deployed once before the 18-month deployment.

Friday was the first return ceremony CW4 Haaren said he was able to attend for his son.

“He signed up for the mission. I’m proud of him,” he said.