After nearly a year of dedicated service overseas, the soldiers of the 1782nd Engineer Support Company from the South Carolina National Guard (SCNG) have returned home. The unit, based in Lancaster, SC, was deployed to Africa on September 2, 2023, and arrived back to a warm welcome from family and friends in West Columbia on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.
During their deployment, the 1782nd Engineer Support Company was stationed at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, Africa, where they played a crucial role in the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa. Their mission focused on humanitarian aid and infrastructure development, significantly contributing to the stability and security of the region.
In a transfer of authority ceremony held on June 11, 2024, at Camp Lemonnier, the 1782nd Engineer Support Company officially handed over their responsibilities to the 1151st Engineer Support Company from the Alabama National Guard. This ceremony, a military tradition, symbolizes the formal transfer of authority and responsibility for the mission from one unit to another.
The homecoming was a momentous occasion for the soldiers and their families, who had been eagerly awaiting their return. The reunion marked the end of a challenging but successful mission and the beginning of a well-deserved period of rest and reintegration for the troops.
The community of Lancaster, SC, and the broader South Carolina region have expressed their gratitude and support for the returning soldiers. The local media, including the Tega Cay Sun, previously covered the deployment and the significant role of the 1782nd Engineer Support Company in Africa.
For more information about the 1782nd Engineer Support Company’s deployment and their accomplishments, you can read the initial report on their deployment by the Tega Cay Sun here.
