300 Fort Carson soldiers welcomed home after nine month mission

Thursday marked an exciting day for kids, families, and soldiers as they were reunited at Fort Carson.

Amber Payanoff last saw her husband, Capt. Shane Eucker, just weeks after giving birth to their son.

“Last time that I saw him was when my son was just about a week or two old. He came a month early so we were hoping he’d be here for the birth but the baby had other things in mind,” Payanoff said.

Now, she’s eager to see the two people she loves so much reunited.

“I’m just really excited for our family to be back together and for him to see how big he is now and especially because you know he’s smiling and he doesn’t have to live through the pictures and Facetime anymore,” she said.

The 2nd IBCT, 4th Inf. Div., deployed in February to Afghanistan to support the Resolute Support mission of conducting train, advise and assist operations that enable Afghan National Defense and Security Forces to increase security and stability in order to prevent terrorist safe havens.

One battalion deployed to Kosovo in support of Multinational Battle Group – East, which is part of the larger NATO-led Kosovo Force

But after their 9-month deployment, soldiers are finally dismissed to their families.

Payanoff is just one among hundreds looking to find her soldier. And when they spot each other from across the room, the wait finally comes to an end.

It’s a special moment this new family of three will treasure forever.

“What’s next is a lot of family time and the holidays. Probably getting around to see a ton of family coming into town so looking forward to that and a little bit of time off,” said Fort Carson Captain Shane Eucker.

And their story is just one of many. Wesley McGlamry got the chance to see his 11-month-old daughter walk for the first time.

“Being overseas for nine months, when I left I couldn’t see anything. She knows who I am, she’s wanting to walk to me, talk to me,” he said.

For these soldiers, the job in Afghanistan and Kosovo has come to an end, but their mission as first-time dads is just beginning.