Here’s a recent item from FOB Tacoma, The News Tribune’s military blog. For more, go to blogs.thenewstribune.com/military

The 81st Brigade Combat Team cased its colors Monday in Ramadi, Iraq, as the Washington National Guard unit prepares to return home.

The brigade of about 3,500 soldiers – about 2,400 of whom are from Washington – served at bases throughout Iraq since November. Most of the unit was tasked with providing security for contractor convoys that keep the American military supplied. The convoys logged more than three million miles on the road.

Other subordinate units were tasked with running day-to-day operations or providing defense for bases. The colors-casing ceremony took place at Camp Ramadi in Anbar province, where the headquarters was running the base’s mayor cell.

“I am in awe of these soldiers,” brigade commander Col. Ronald Kapral said in a press release. “They come from all walks of life, many different professions, and yet when our nation and state called, they answered and performed their duty. We have taken them away from their families, friends and jobs and they did not complain or question.

The brigade mobilized in August for its second tour of Iraq; it previously deployed in 2004-05. It trained at Fort McCoy, Wis., and in Kuwait before arriving in Iraq.

One soldier was killed during the tour. Spc. Samuel Stone of Port Orchard died May 30 when his M1117 Armored Security Vehicle rolled over near Tallil.

The soldiers begin returning home this month after a de-mobilization process in Wisconsin.

Scott Fontaine, The News Tribune