Military News: HAWKINS

Spc. Jenna Hawkins arrived home Saturday in Cedar Rapids from Afghanistan after completing a year-long tour with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 34th Infantry Division.

While in Afghanistan she was attached to another unit from Iowa: the Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment, from Sioux City. She was part of the military police platoon and worked on a police mentorship program with the Afghan National Police, mounted and dismounted patrols providing security for Bagram Airfield.

Hawkins was awarded the Army Achievement Medal, for meritorious service while assigned as a sergeant of the guard for the Bagram Field Detention Site in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as well as many other awards.

Hawkins is residing with her mother Robin Kiefer and stepfather Rob Kiefer she returns to school in the spring. She is a college student at Kirkwood Community College and has studied parks and natural resources.