DRAPER, Utah – Soldiers from the Utah Army National Guard’s 115th Engineer
Facilities Detachment are scheduled to return from deployment in support of U.S. Central
Command operations overseas.
Approximately 10 Soldiers are scheduled to return to Salt Lake City on Sept. 21, 2024,
they are scheduled to land approximately 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. Other members of the
detachment are scheduled to return to other airports closer to their homes.
The 115th EFD Soldiers returned to Fort Bliss, Texas, on Sept. 17, following the successful
completion of their mission in Kuwait where they worked on base security, life support,
and other facility design and management projects. On Saturday the Utah National
Guard will welcome home this detachment with a small welcome party of senior leaders
at the airport.
“I am very proud of the work that the team accomplished over our nine months at Camp
Buehring in Kuwait,” said Lt. Col. Caleb Sharp, officer in charge. “As the Directorate of
Public Works, the team oversaw the approval of more than 15 projects valued over 20
million dollars that helped improved the quality of life, working conditions, and training
of Soldiers assigned there. The teams hard work and dedication to their mission was
evident during this entire deployment. We are extremely grateful for the support and
sacrifices of our families that helped to get us through the deployment and are very
excited to be reuniting with our families and loved ones.”
Other members of the engineering detachment shared insights into their mission and the
value they provided during the deployment. “Serving as a member of the Directorate of
Public Works is about more than just maintaining infrastructure—it’s about ensuring
mission readiness through resilience,” said Master Sgt. Phillip Bassett, senior enlisted
leader for the detachment. “Every repair, every construction project is directly tied to the
well-being and operational success for the units stationed at Camp Buehring. In the chaos
of deployment, our team of 14 Soldiers provided the backbone that kept the base
functional, safe, and secure.”
As these Soldiers return home the Utah National Guard is pleased with the completion of
another successful mission overseas. The Utah National Guard is a premier, community-
based force comprised of relevant and trained citizen-Soldiers and Airmen who are ready
to support contingency operations worldwide, and to support missions at home when
needed.