Fifty-Five soldiers of the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team, Mississippi Army National Guard, returned home from Europe today after a more than 10-month deployment to Germany.
The soldiers were welcomed home to a crowd of family and friends at the Tupelo Regional Airport this afternoon, Oct. 9, 2024. More 155th ABCT soldiers are returning home on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, via individual tickets on multiple commercial flights with destinations closer to their home of record.
The returning soldiers are part of Task Force Thunder, one element of Joint Multinational Training Group – Ukraine (JMTG-U) operating on the training grounds of Grafenwoehr, Germany. The 7th Army Training Command-led mission of JMTG-U is to train the Armed Forces of Ukraine on operational and strategic maneuvering in a hostile environment. The training group is overseen by the U.S. European Command, U.S. Army Europe and Africa, and the Security Assistance Group-Ukraine and represents the continuation of a world-wide effort to help Ukraine defend itself during a brutal and unprovoked war.
Guard, returned home from Europe today after a more than 10-month deployment to Germany.
Soldiers were welcomed home by Maj. Gen. Bobby M. Ginn Jr., the adjutant general of the Mississippi
National Guard, senior leaders, and a crowd of family and friends at the Tupelo Regional Airport this
afternoon, Oct. 9, 2024. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Bill Valentine)
JMTG-U is an ever-evolving mission based on the needs of and in coordination with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Previous units involved with the mission are Task Force Gator, 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) of the Florida Army National Guard; Task Force Orion, 27th IBCT of the New York Army National Guard; and Task Force Bowie, 39th IBCT of the Arkansas Army National Guard.
Mississippi’s 155th ABCT transferred the mission to Task Force Independence, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard during a transfer of authority ceremony in Grafenwoehr, Oct. 1, 2024.
Col. Michael Dykes, outgoing commander of the JMTG-U and commander of Task Force Thunder reflected to the solders on their success and mission completion.
“Your performance under extraordinary and challenging conditions is nothing short of outstanding. Task Force Thunder soldiers’ contributions were both swift and profound. They spearheaded the development and execution of support for various operator certification forces and specialized training forces,” said Col. Michael Dykes, outgoing commander of the JMTG-U and Task Force Thunder after the transfer of authority ceremony on Oct. 1, 2024, in Grafenwoehr, Germany.
Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Bobby M. Ginn Jr. was planeside to welcome home members of Task Force Thunder from their deployment.
“It was an honor to welcome home the brave men and women of the 155th ABCT today in Tupelo. These brave Mississippians have served with honor and distinction during their deployment to Grafenwoehr, Germany. I am proud to welcome them safely home,” said Ginn.
The Mississippi National Guard Soldiers and Airmen continue to serve with honor and integrity in diverse missions throughout our state and nation. We are always ready and always there.
