By Cpt. Russell Shirley-Jones, 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade Public Affairs Officer

FORT HOOD, Texas — Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Regiment, 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, returned home to Fort Hood, Texas, Sept. 20th, 2025, after completing a 9-month deployment in United States Army Central area of responsibility.

The redeployment marks the end of the ‘Strike First’ Battalion’s critical mission providing air and missile defense coverage in support of United States Army Central Command’s Operation Spartan Shield.

Family, friends and Soldiers gathered for the redeployment and uncasing of the 1st Bn., 44th ADA Regiment, 69th ADA Bde., colors. Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Miller, battalion senior enlisted leader for 1st Bn., 44th ADA Regiment, 69th ADA Bde., spoke about the Soldiers and the welcome home ceremony.

“For the Soldiers to be successful to accomplish this mission, it was a lot of grit and tenacity that was dedicated towards the mission,” said Miller. “We wanted to make sure the welcome home ceremony was a special occasion and just appreciate all the sacrifice both the Soldiers and the Families put into this mission.”

Lt. Col. Jesse Snyder, the commander of 1st Bn., 44th ADA Regiment, 69th ADA Bde., addressed his Soldier’s families.

“Thank you for being here to celebrate this special moment for the Soldiers,” Synder said. “Today is a great day. It has been a long, hard nine months to get to this moment in time, and I want personally thank the Families of the ‘Strike First’ team. Your grace and resilience have been inspiring, and your sacrifices to our country are appreciated.”

Pfc. Reginald Griffin, 1st Bn., 44th ADA Regiment, 69th ADA Bde., spoke about this being his first deployment.

“Once I deployed, it was a lot of on the go learning,” said Griffin. “I had a specialist there that guided me, taught me everything I needed to know, making it a great workplace.”

“It feels great to be back home,” continued Griffin. “Now that I am back, I plan to hang out with my friends and family.”

Col. Kevin Werry, the commander of 69th ADA Bde., addressed the battalion after the uncasing of the Battalion’s colors.

“Whether it’s your first or fifth [deployment], you are the reason we have told air defenders, for the past 15 years, to be ready,” said Werry. “Take that in, you’ll always have that.”

This link provides a DVIDs B-roll Package: DVIDS – Video – 1-44 ADA Returns Home to Fort Hood After Successful Deployment