The III Corps. Phantom warriors had the uncasing of the colors ceremony on Fort Hood Monday morning.
450 troops left to the Middle East on Sept. 19, 2015 to take over leadership of Combined Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve - a mission to destroy ISIS.
Fort Hood and III Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Sean P. McFarland spoke about his team's efforts.
"Today instead of the enemy advancing and threatening the complete overthrow of Iraq and Syrian regimes, the enemy is in full retreat on all fronts and the turn around was the direct result of the phantom warriors from Fort Hood," McFarland said.
He described what they were sent to do and how to maintain momentum.
"To provide essential planning, resourcing and to advise and assist," McFarland said. "Train and equip the indigenous forces that were engaged in that fight against a very evil group of people."
McFarland said the turning point was when their forces captured the city of Ramadi from ISIS in December. He said they completed most of their objectives with minimal forces on the ground.
Colonel Christopher Gavin said some parts of the 11 months were tough.
"Some days seemed much longer than that, Some days felt like dog years you know even in Iraq, easy is hard," Gavin said.
He said he's grateful for the Texas heat compared to that in the middle east.
"We've been used to 120 degree weather so we come back, and Texas gives us a little cloud cover a little humidity," Gavin said. "It feels pretty good actually to be back and it's always great to come home."
McFarland said the 18th Airborne Corps will replace them in Iraq, and they are prepared to take the next step in destroying ISIS, taking over the city of Mosel.
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