Schofield Welcomes Returning Soldiers

More than 100 soldiers from the 536th Support Maintenance Company at Schofield Barracks reunited with their families April 3 following a nine-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

While in Afghanistan, the unit supported multiple regional commands by conducting quality assurance and control operations, explained Lt. Col. James Droppleman, the commander of the 524th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion.

“It is a great pleasure to see you all gathered here to welcome our soldiers home to Hawaii,” said Droppleman, addressing the families. “It was your strength and unwavering support that allowed our soldiers to focus on their task at hand while down-range.”

Friends and relatives flooded the unit’s parking lot, holding homemade “welcome home” signs and bushels of leis. When released, the soldiers and their families crashed into each other in a wave of tears, hugs and kisses.

“It’s so great to be back,” said Sgt. Michael Mahoney, a soldier with the 536th. “I can’t wait to spend some quality time with my family.”