Woman awaits family's return from Iraq
Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP/Getty Images<br> U.S. soldiers take part in one of the last patrols through the streets of the northeastern restive town of Baquba, 60 kilometers from Baghdad.
MOSES LAKE — Lisa Cowles is operating under the assumption that no news is good news when it comes to her husband’s and son’s return home from Iraq.
Her husband, Jeffrey, and son, Christopher, are serving with the Moses Lake-based Bravo 1-161st Infantry Unit.
It’s not clear if they will be among the first group of soldiers returning home from their one-year deployment.
But some soldiers are expected to arrive at Fairchild Air Force Base or McCord Air Force Base early next week, depending where they live, according to the Washington National Guard.
The Moses Lake woman said her husband was in Joint Base Balad, Iraq last week, where he was stationed during his deployment.
She has not heard from her son, but said his wife spoke to him the other day.
“He kind of hinted if she hadn’t heard from him in a few weeks that is was good news,” Cowles said.
She’s known for a few months the soldiers were starting to pack up, she said.
“I’ve very excited, though,” she says. “It’s been a long year, but it doesn’t seem like it.”
She hasn’t heard of any homecoming ceremonies in Moses Lake, but expects she will soon.
There are short welcome home ceremonies at Fairchild Air Force Base and McChord Air Force Base, according to the Washington National Guard.
The Washington National Guard’s announced this week how soldiers from the 81st Brigade Combat Team are starting to travel from the Operation Iraqi Freedom theater to Fort McCoy, Wis.
The 1-161st is under the 81st Brigade Combat Team, said Lt. Keith Kosik, of the Washington National Guard.
Members of the 81st Brigade Combat Team are going through the demobilization process for about six days, which includes briefings about transitioning from the combat mindset to civilian life, pay and financial benefits, physical and dental evaluations, finances and reemployment information, he explained.
There are about 2,400 soldiers from Washington state in the 81st Brigade Combat Team, he said. Their missions typically focus on convoy security.
They went on active duty on Aug. 18, 2008, and are returning home within their expected time frame, he added.