278th homeward bound:Return in late October, early November
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In a letter written to family members and dated Sept. 21, Commander Dennis J. Adams says not to send any more packages to soldiers and says any letters should be sent by this Saturday. Adams says anything sent after Saturday likely will not reach soldiers before they leave Iraq.
“We anticipate the 278th Regiment Combat Team to redeploy to Camp Shelby, Miss., some time in late October and early November,” Adams wrote. “As the time and schedules become more detailed, I will inform the soldiers and the families so they can make arrangements to meet their loved ones when we return.
“For the safety of the soldiers who remain here in Iraq, it is extremely important we remain focused. In combat there are no second chances. The threat is real every day and night.”
Adams indicated not all soldiers will leave at the same time and he stressed the departure time frame could still be pushed back.
“It will be a staggered schedule,” said Adams. “Everyone needs to remember this is a war zone and anything can change at any time.”
The end of October was picked as a target date because it will be after the upcoming Iraqi elections. Local soldiers have already been in country for the first round of Iraqi elections in June.
“In this military mission we are event driven and not date driven,” said Adams. “We plan around events and then develop time windows. When we were first alerted and mobilized it was for one year in theater and that time window is still appropriate.”
National Guard spokesman Randy Harris said a definite date is expected to be set “in the next week or so.” Harris said the announcement of troops returning has been an emotional boost. “Everybody is ready for them to come home,” said Harris.
Once soldiers leave Iraq, it will take three to five days in travel time to reach Camp Shelby. Once there, it will take soldiers another seven to 10 days before they are given the OK to return home.
During their stay at Camp Shelby, soldiers will turn in their weapons and sensitive items. After a 100 percent accountability of personnel, weapons and sensitive items, soldiers will get a safety briefing and then begin their 48 hour safety stand down time.
Since everyone cannot be processed at the same time, it is expected to take about three weeks to get all soldiers processed and on their way back home.
The 278th Regimental Combat Team has approximately 4,000 soldiers on active duty in Iraq. They were deployed from Camp Shelby last November and arrived in Iraq around the first of December. They officially assumed authority in mid-December.