14,000 Fort Bragg "soldiers run" celebrates homecoming from Iraq

Fort Bragg run celebrates homecoming from Iraq
Reporter: Bryan Mims


FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Approximately 14,000 soldiers ran through Fort Bragg Thursday morning to mark the homecoming of the 18th Airborne Corps from Iraq. The last soldiers in that unit returned in December.

Thursday's 4-mile run signified that a nearly 9-year run in Iraq is over.

“It feels food since they got back,” said Spc. Kevin Thomas. “It’s a comfort now that they’re all back on Fort Bragg.”

Fort Bragg's commander, Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, led the runners, just as he led the 18th Airborne Corps last year in winding down the Iraq War.

“I think they’ll say in bold print at the very beginning, at the middle and at the end of the operation, the 18th Airborne Corps soldiers made a difference,” Helmick said.
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