Time is getting closer

Nightfighter Family,Hello from Balad, I hope this note finds everyone well. We are doing great hereand we are gearing up to go head first into our Relief in Place with thenext unit. I know you will be hearing and reading about a lot of 76thBrigade soldiers coming back over the next few weeks, we are stilllooking at the end of November. I had high hopes a few months back about getting home for Thanksgiving, but that is not going to happen forthe majority of the battalion. There might be a few (less than 75) thatget back in time to complete demobilization by Thanksgiving Day. It looks like most of us will either be somewhere in transit or completing demobilization at Camp Atterbury during that time period. Be patient with the process it will be completed as quickly as possible.

Right now we are concentrating on the train up of our replacements, a job we are taking very seriously. A lot of work and preparation has gone into the training plan and it is finally time to execute it. All of our soldiers feel it is our responsibility to ensure we prepare them for the mission to the best of our ability. While we do that we will be moving out ofour housing into transient housing, which may make communication alittle less accessible for many of our soldiers. If they had internet in their room, that is no longer the case, they are now living in open bay rooms with multiple soldiers. While the quality of living goes downa little bit, it is okay it means we are one step closer to being home.

During the past week or two CSM Cox and I have had the honor of presenting hundreds of "end of tour awards" to our deserving soldiers. Each company held their own ceremony, to include Team Bravo down at their new location, CSM Cox and I flew down this week to visit them. Rest assured the soldiers are in great spirits and are motivated to finish this mission as strong as they started it. We are quickly winding down a very successful mission that everyone involved with canbe proud of; we will definitely have a lot to talk about for years tocome. As always it is my honor to serve with YOUR soldier!

LTC Jerry Hadley
"Nightfighter 6"