INDIANA — More than 400 Indiana National Guard soldiers returned to Indianapolis on Wednesday afternoon after a nearly yearlong deployment in the Middle East.
The soldiers, from the 38th Infantry Division, were welcomed by family and friends at the Indianapolis International Airport.
During their deployment, they supported Operation Spartan Shield, which involved providing command and control for combat forces and strengthening defense partnerships. The soldiers conducted 15 exercises, including field training, command post exercises, deployment readiness exercises, and combat live-fire drills, from October 2024 to July, to enhance U.S. military readiness and cooperation with regional partners.
Major General Dan Degelow, the 38th Infantry Division commanding general, led about 600 division Soldiers during the deployment. He thanked them for their hard work, dedication, and professionalism in a July ceremony overseas.
“You are an all-volunteer force of warriors. When we started our journey together, I asked three things of each of you: safety, professional development, and self-improvement,” Degelow said. “At every critical moment, you delivered a superb performance. I am just so very thankful for each one of you. Many of you were placed in assignments that challenged you and developed your skills as a Soldier.”
While deployed, the Indiana National Guard members provided command and control of combat forces in the theater and helped strengthen defense partnerships.
The exercises and joint conferences enhanced the U.S. military’s ability to integrate combat formations and build warfighting readiness alongside regional partners, reinforcing the strength and interoperability of allied forces.
Major General Dan Degelow, the 38th ID commanding general, commended the soldiers for their service, stating, “You are an all-volunteer force of warriors. At every critical moment, you delivered a superb performance.”
