Kansas honors 130th Field Artillery Brigade with homecoming from Operation Epic Fury
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Soldiers of the 130th Field Artillery Brigade and their families gathered for a post-deployment Yellow Ribbon__ __event, recognizing service during a deployment that began supporting Operation Spartan Shield and evolved into the high-tempo combat operations of Operation Epic Fury.
The Yellow Ribbon program connects returning Soldiers and families with resources essential to reintegration, including Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, behavioral health support, employment assistance, relationship counseling, and Kansas Army National Guard family programs. For many soldiers, the event was the first opportunity for teammates from across the brigade after months of dispersed operations throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
"When we had a change in mission, the 130th as a brigade headquarters was able to change their mission and be successful," said Brig. Gen. Carlin G. Williams, Assistant Adjutant General-Army, Kansas National Guard. "The team that you were a member of is recognized by the leaders across our nation at the highest levels. Your efforts were absolutely important to the nation."
From deterrence mission to combat operations
The 130th Field Artillery Brigade initially deployed in support of Operation Spartan Shield, the long-standing mission focused on regional security cooperation, partner-nation engagement, and deterrence throughout the Middle East.
As tensions escalated and Operation Epic Fury commenced, Kansas soldiers transitioned from steady-state operations to combat operations. Brigade personnel were spread across multiple countries and locations, requiring rapid adjustment to new missions, changing operational requirements, and growing demands for theater-wide fires coordination and force protection.
"I kept telling soldiers to be flexible, and they were," said Col. Daniel Ball, commander of the 130th Field Artillery Brigade. "We were incredibly flexible, adjusted, and dealt with every different challenge that was thrown at us."
According to soldiers who served during the operation, the brigade's responsibilities expanded significantly as combat operations intensified.
The 130th's role during Operation Epic Fury
As Operation Epic Fury unfolded, the 130th Field Artillery Brigade became a critical artillery and force-protection headquarters supporting operations across the theater.
Brigade personnel coordinated fires, supported targeting operations, helped integrate High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) capabilities, contributed to dynamic targeting efforts, and supported protection missions against missile and drone threats. Soldiers also helped sustain dispersed units operating across multiple countries while adapting to degraded communications, rapidly evolving logistics networks, and operational requirements.
For many soldiers, the deployment required taking on responsibilities beyond their original assigned duties.
"The pace picked up significantly. People were put into roles they weren't expecting," said 1st Lt. Austin Raetzel, brigade protection officer. "Many people who perhaps thought they weren't ready for what was coming really stepped up to the challenge and shined in ways that I don't think anyone was expecting, least of all themselves."
Soldiers adapted to communication outages, strained logistics systems, force protection requirements, and the challenge of supporting combat operations while spread across numerous locations.
"It took a little while for us to understand what was going to be expected of us and have the flexibility to transition from steady-state operations to combat operations," said Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Coleman, operations noncommissioned officer. "Operation Epic Fury tested me as an NCO and a soldier. It challenged me in ways I wasn’t expecting and helped me grow as a leader in a dynamic environment."
The deployment showcased the brigade's ability to solve problems in austere conditions while integrating with joint and multinational partners.
"Everybody's resilience and adaptability, working in spite of the conditions against us, was pretty amazing," said Capt. Benjamin Austin Harrell, who served as a liaison officer in Qatar and later as a fires planner.
Looking ahead
As Soldiers continue reintegration and return to civilian careers, education and future military assignments, leaders emphasized that the experiences gained during Operation Epic Fury will continue to shape the brigade's readiness.
"What I look forward to most is giving the next group the baseline knowledge and teaching them to be flexible," Coleman said.
The deployment underscored the National Guard's ability to rapidly transition from deterrence operations to combat operations while supporting joint force objectives around the globe. Through adaptability, resilience and teamwork, Soldiers of the 130th Field Artillery Brigade demonstrated the critical role citizen-soldiers play in the defense of the nation.
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