Fort Sill Alpha Battery makes it home for the holidays

After a long 14 month deployment in the Middle East, two mission extensions and a 48 hour plus delayed flight home, the Alpha Battery 5-5 Air Defense Artillery Battalion returned home for the holidays Thursday night.

As the “assassins” were released from their formation, they rushed to their loved ones. Families and friends with signs welcomed them back with hungry, eager arms, while their kids started their lengthy attachment. Dogs barked, medals were given and tears were shed.

A spokeswoman for Fort Sill gave remarks on what they did.

“This is the most resilient union we have …” she said. “During the assassin’s deployment, they successfully intercepted, destroyed and provided critical early warning systems for a total of 24 unmanned aerial systems and 147 rounds of rockets, artillery and mortars. Due to the unique critical mission, Alpha batteries often operate autonomously away … For this reason, Alpha 5-5 has some of the most trusted and proven leaders in the battalion.”

Capt. Adrian Rodriguez said it feels overwhelming to be back, but he’s proud. As he was speaking, his son was attached to his leg.

“We’ve been kind of outside of civilization,” Rodriguez said. “I’m very proud of not just my team, but everybody who’s been supporting us along the way. We can’t do it alone. Without my soldiers, NGO’s, or lieutenants, we can’t be successful in this mission or operation.”

1st Sgt. Francisco Cruz said he feels great.

“It was too long over there, sometimes I started feeling lonely,” Cruz said.

The assassin’s biggest objective in air defense was early warning.

“Any actual threat, our main objective is to ensure that everybody has an early warning,” Rodriguez said. “That way, they’re able to get on the safe environment …”

Rodriguez and Cruz both plan to spend the rest of their time with their family and friends.

“We get a 45 day block for the amount of days that we were gone, so it’s going to be a lot of downtime,” Rodriguez said.