1st Lt. Christopher Solop, platoon commander, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, meets his 6-month-old daughter, Ava, for the first time during the battalion’s homecoming at Del Valle Field, April 6, 2015. Marines and sailors of 2/7 served as part of the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command 15.1. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Medina Ayala-Lo/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Medina Ayala-Lo

'War Dogs’ return

6 Apr 2015 | Lance Cpl. Medina Ayala-Lo Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS -- “I think that being here to welcome them home makes the [Marines and sailors] feel like there wasn’t a day that went by when we weren’t thinking about them,” said Sarah Solop, wife of 1st. Lt. Christopher Solop, platoon commander, 2/7. “It’s important that they feel supported, especially when they’re coming home from a deployment. I feel like this is a reward for [everyone].”

"War Dog" Marines and sailors served as part of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command 15.1.

“Having my husband back and seeing him meet our son for the first time was amazing,” said Loyrn Merager, wife of Lance Cpl. John Merager, rifleman, 2/7. “He was able to see him on a computer, but there is no feeling in the world that compares to actually having him home.”

"War Dogs" involvement with SPMAGTF-CR-CC 15.1 played a part in solidifying the Marine Corps’ role as the nation’s force in readiness, able to respond to an ever-changing global environment.

“I think it went very well, and I’m very proud of my guys,” 1st Lt. Solop said. “We went in there not completely sure what to expect, but I think the Marines adapted to every situation that came our way and succeeded in every aspect.”