MAT team returns home, operation Enduring Freedom

Sienna Nichole Siracusa, front right, daughter of Maj. Vincent Siracusa Jr., back and second from right, follows her father's example and salutes during the playing of the national anthem during the welcome home ceremony for the Military Advisor Team (MAT) III, New Jersey Army National Guard, who were welcomed home at the Joint Force Headquarters, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., July 22, 2013, after a yearlong deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. MATs are a small team of officers and NCOs whose primary task is to coach, teach and mentor Afghan National Army units, provide the conduit for liaison and command and control and, when required, support the operational planning and employment of the ANA. The New Jersey Army National Guard conducts Joint MATs with the Albanian Armed Forces. The MATs build on State Partnership relationships with the Republic of Albania in order to demonstrate commitment and strengthen the alliance with Albania enabling them to contribute to future NATO missions. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen/Released)