Operation Proper Exit Afghanistan

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul LaCamera, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo., stands proudly with retired Sgt. Noah Galloway and retired Spc. Andrew Miller as the men arrive for the fifth edition of Operation Proper Exit at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, March 13, 2014. Both soldiers have lost limbs on the battlefield. Galloway is a double amputee from injuries endured in the line of duty. He now serves as a personal trainer and has completed over 15 physically demanding races and marathons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexandria Bandin/Released)

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Operation Proper Exit Afghanistan

Fellow Service men and women stand proudly as they greet five wounded warriors returning to theater during the fifth edition of Operation Proper Exit at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, March 13, 2014. The operation left Service members with a sense of pride, honor and brotherhood in the deployed location. The warriors visited different Forward Operating Bases throughout Afghanistan telling their stories and providing courage to those who still fight for freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexandria Bandin/Released)

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Operation Proper Exit Afghanistan

Service members from all branches of service line up along the flightline at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, to honor and applaud five soldiers severely injured in the line of duty during the fifth edition of Operation Proper Exit, March 13, 2014. Troops First Foundation hosts the operation with an objective of bringing recovered soldiers back to the theater to build a brotherhood with current deployed troops and well as provide closure in leaving the war zone on their own terms. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexandria Bandin/Released)

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Operation Proper Exit Afghanistan

A group of wounded warriors walk out to load onto a helicopter at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, after completing the fifth edition of Operation Proper Exit, March 13, 2014. This was the 15th overall operation organized by Rick Kell, co-founder of Troops First Foundation. The program is intended to gain a sense of commonality, pride and closure for soldiers severely injured in the line of duty. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexandria Bandin/Released)

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Operation Proper Exit in Afghanistan

Published March 19, 2014
By Senior Master Sgt. Gary J. Rihn
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- When a warrior is wounded in combat, they're not always able to leave the battlefield under their own power at the time.

However, courtesy of Operation Proper Exit, some of them get to return to the area, come to terms with what happened, find closure, and leave again, this time on their own terms.

Recently, five such soldiers returned to Afghanistan and spent some time talking to Service members at Kandahar Airfield. There, they received a hero's welcome, and were able to talk to deployed Service members. They told their stories, bonded, healed emotional wounds and spent time with fellow soldiers and Airmen at various locations throughout Afghanistan.

After receiving rounds of applause and appreciation from ranks of Service members lining the flightline, they boarded their helicopter to continue their tour of Afghanistan, and their journey of healing.

Operation Proper Exit Afghanistan

Operation Proper Exit Afghanistan

Operation Proper Exit Afghanistan

Operation Proper Exit Afghanistan