A group of more than 45 University of North Georgia (UNG) alumni, spouses and friends gathered at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on Oct. 28 to renew and make new acquaintances and to receive an update on the corps and the university.

Among the group was the commanding general of the U.S. Army XVIII Airborne Corps, Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend and his wife, Melissa, both 1982 graduates of UNG. Townsend, along with several other alumni present, recently returned from deployment as part of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), which he commanded.

Other UNG alumni deployed with OIR and present that evening were 1st Lt. Ryan Ault, 1st Lt. Justin Stephens, 2014 graduates, and 1st Lt. Riley Tidwell, 2015 graduate.

Another senior leader in the XVIII Airborne Corps and UNG alum, Col. Greg Beaudoin, a 1993 graduate and commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division attended as well. Beaudoin’s wife, Allison, also a 1993 graduate, attended as well.

Townsend addressed the gathering, commenting briefly on the OIR mission. He thanked retired Col. Chris Bagley and his wife, Renee, for hosting the event and expressed appreciation for all those who were present.

Also on hand to represent UNG were Jeff Tarnowski, vice president for university advancement, and Phil Collins, director of development for the Corps of Cadets.

“Attending an alumni event at Fort Bragg is always a highlight. It was an honor for Jeff and I to be there," Collins said. "We both understood fully that we were among America’s best. They and their families cannot receive enough recognition. Collectively they serve sacrificially in a way that most of us will never experience. It was truly a privilege to be among them for the evening.”

The XVIII Airborne Corps is referred to as "America's Contingency Corps," and returned stateside in late August after being deployed overseas for one year. OIR—officially known as "Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve"—was authorized in October 2014 by the Department of Defense.