A group of soldiers from Iron County received a heartwarming welcome home after a year-long deployment to Djibouti, Eastern Africa. The soldiers, part of the Utah Army National Guard’s 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB), landed at Cedar City Regional Airport on January 18. Among the returning soldiers were Capt. Cory Ashworth, Capt. Kim Trower, Capt. Eric Heaps, Capt. Alex Thurston, and Sgt. Wyatt Gutches. Additionally, Sgt. 1st Class Kaden Mitchell and Capt. Daryl Peterson, also from Iron County, had earlier arrived at St. George Regional Airport.
The 204th MEB’s mission during their deployment was to support the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA). The brigade is a versatile unit, equipped to provide expertise in areas such as military police, field artillery, aviation, legal services, and cyber warfare, among others. Ashworth, a seasoned member of the 222nd Field Artillery Battalion, noted the unique nature of the 204th’s mission. “The 204th is designed to fill in and support division staff during large-scale combat operations,” he explained. “They have everything you could think of, and the best part is that we’re agile and can act fast.”
The soldiers spent their deployment in Djibouti, a small but strategically located country on the Horn of Africa, bordered by Somalia and Ethiopia, and surrounded by the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. Despite its hot and humid climate, with temperatures often reaching over 100°F, the deployment was a unique experience for the soldiers, offering a chance to collaborate with military personnel from various countries, including France, Japan, and South Korea.
One of the biggest challenges, according to Ashworth, was adjusting to the extreme heat. “It never dropped below 82°F,” he recalled. “In the summer, the heat was relentless.” After months of battling the sweltering temperatures, Ashworth said returning to Utah’s cooler winter weather was a welcome change.
For Ashworth’s wife, Makayla, the reunion at the airport was an emotional moment. With three young children in tow, she expressed relief at having her husband back home, jokingly adding that she was “ready to hand over the reins” of parenting. The couple also appreciated the technology that allowed them to stay in regular contact throughout the deployment, a significant improvement compared to Ashworth’s previous deployment to Iraq in 2011.
“It was such a different experience this time,” Makayla said. “We talked almost every day, which was a huge improvement from before.” Cory Ashworth agreed, noting the reliable Wi-Fi made it easier to stay in touch. “It was so nice to be able to talk to my family regularly and say goodnight to the kids,” he added.
For Ashworth, the most rewarding part of the deployment was returning home. “The greatest joy was stepping off that plane and seeing my family,” he said, visibly moved by the reunion. “After nine months, it felt absolutely euphoric.”
Capt. Heaps, another member of the 204th MEB, shared similar sentiments. His wife, Kari, and children were at the airport to welcome him home after the nearly year-long deployment. Heaps, who has been with the National Guard for 18 years, took on a unique role as a liaison to the U.S. embassy in Djibouti, an experience that was both challenging and rewarding. “It was my first deployment like this,” he explained. “But it was great working with Cory and the others.”
Like Ashworth, Heaps appreciated the support his family received while he was away. His wife recalled the overwhelming kindness of the Cedar City Police Department, who not only helped them with their move but also greeted Heaps at the airport. “The community really rallied around us,” Kari Heaps said. “It was incredible.”
As for Heaps, he’s taking some well-deserved time off with his family before returning to his job as a police officer in a few weeks. Reflecting on his deployment, he said, “I couldn’t have bought this kind of experience. The lessons we’ve learned will benefit our families and communities for years to come.”
Both Ashworth and Heaps expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve, and as they transition back into civilian life, they carry with them the invaluable lessons and experiences from their time in Djibouti. The support of their families, friends, and communities has made the transition back home that much sweeter.
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