The base constantly fears casualties from the front-line, but is plunged in mourning unexpectedly when Claudia Joy dies from cardiac arrest during a prestigious tour with the first lady. Memories abound during preparations for the memorial, which to daughter Emmalin's frustration is just a private cremation. Written by KGF Vissers

New characters appear on base after the far from digested Air Force merger, including Eddie Hall and his uneasily reconstituted (step-)family. After Claudia Joy's memorial, Michael soon gets his act together, resumes his duty as base commander and sends Emmalian back to college. David accepts a New York college military suicides research job and decides to move there with the kids. Roxy hires at first taste shy Holly, the lonely wife of corporal Tim Truman, on his first war tour, as gifted pie baker for the Hump bar. Written by KGF Vissers

General Holden dutifully slips back into his routine. Eddie Hall must juggle base duty, his wife and ever-fighting (step-)kids. General Clarke recovers well and returns to the Afghan border earlier then medically advised, only to preside over a suicide bombing which scares the Pentagon into sending colonel Sherwood's brigade home ahead of schedule. The old and new wives club members start bonding over stories how their relationships started. Holly and Tim, deployed on his first overseas tour, long for permission to communicate, but the bomb cuts all non-command-contact off. Denise minds the Burton kids while the doctor is in Boston. Written by KGF Vissers

In Afghanistan, Hector grumpily acts as mentor for naive, eager but dangerously hasty Tim Truman as they report for dug-in mountain camp duty under 'routine' mortar fire. Eddie Hall being repatriated with his brigade, his (step-)family starts to settle. General Holden forgot about a function organized by Jackie, for which Tim's wife Holly gets her first-ever huge pies order, so Gloria much train to help baking. Written by KGF Vissers

General Clarke's handsome son Patrick, a recently graduated officer gentleman, visits mother to announce father already arranged his enlistment in the airborne division, as he craves field experience before the Afghan operation may be ended. Meeting Gloria in the Hump bar is an instant hit, all the way into her bed, yet she claims it's just a one-off one night stand, but Holly, who misses Tim even worse now communications are cut off, points out it's obviously more and she should strive for a relationship. Only Eddie stays calm when his frustrated stepson Tanner seems to run away. Joan's inadequacy as 'single' mother is duly scolded after she is far to hard on otherwise neglected David and his rascal mates in another accidental mischief. Written by KGF Vissers

Patrick enjoyed the night with Gloria enough to want a relationship, but she backs down when she hears he's a lieutenant. Hector and Tim are imposed extra shores for frustrated recklessness during 'daily' enemy bombardment wrecking their camp's rare treat. The brigade gets ordered to be deployed next day. This leaves Eddie, who is winning Tanner's trust, preciously little time to handle his insolent daughter's plan to have his custody transferred to her irresponsible lush mother, who still lets the brat down. Their last night, Michael surprises Dense, who clearly can't cope with disposing of Claudia Joy's wardrobe, to a romantic dinner with Frank. Only at the airport, Patrick's mother and lover realize how significant he is to the other. Written by KGF Vissers

Patrick takes command in Afghanistan of an outpost, where experienced sergeant Eddie works him in. Serving under them are Tim, who seeks solace in tending chickens, and grumpy Hector, who still isn't over loosing Gloria. The ladies club plans a garden as memorial for Claudia Joy, but finds raising money in time too hard. General Holden is deeply disappointed when Joan's inability to juggle duty and 'single' motherhood nearly endangers the president. Written by KGF Vissers

Despite their best efforts, the tribe falls short of their fundraising goals for Claudia Joy's garden until Gloria discovers Holly has a hidden talent that could help them. Hector finds out about Gloria and Patrick. Michael unknowingly encourages Kat's daughter Hannah, a Citadel cadet, to switch from Air Force to Army. Written by Anonymous

Patrick delights Tim with shooting tips, Hector remains grumpy. Colonel Sherwood scolds Patrick and Eddie for their attack on the Taliban without Afghans as contrary to Pentagon instructions, but those change spectacularly: their valley is to be abandoned to the enemy, without military logic. The Claudia Joy memorial reflection pool is solemnly opened. Denis, the driving force behind it, must leave presiding to Mrs. Clarke to assist Dr. Dan Seaver operating on Penny, who can't be saved after a car accident, but her baby is born healthy. Written by KGF Vissers

As if orders to abandon the valley weren't depressing enough, the Taliban's farewell is the worst attack ever, which costs Tim and Hector a close comrade. Michael bonds with his Airforce colonel colleague at a charity event. Eddie's daughter is caught drinking in a pubic bar, cause for base expulsion. She breaks grounding to attend a college party, then panics as if a nice boy's ride home offer were a rape move and calls Maggie to get her home. Gloria blames Jackie for Patrick breaking up, actually for Hector, who feels proud that his bastard son is born and regrets he won't get to raise him. Written by KGF Vissers

The boys is Afghanistan are traumatized by heavy losses in a valley they must leave anyway shortly after. Still the home-front organizes a warm welcome on the base, while worrying how wounded men and grieving families can be helped. Tim was awaited most eagerly by Holly, but it becomes clear his aloofness isn't just fatigue, he has nightmares instead of romantic appetite. Cruz is eager to meet his baby son and hopes to reconcile with Gloria. Mildly-wounded Patrick makes clear to Gloria he only put their relationship on hold, but is kept at arms-length and decides to concentrate on rangers school. Written by KGF Vissers

Latasha worries about Quincy's future in the Army. Gloria agrees to go out on a date with Hector, but is torn when Patrick asks for a second chance. Denise volunteers for a relief mission to an earthquake ravaged country. Tim's behavior starts to worry Holly. Michael and Kat share a moment. Written by Anonymous

When Tim goes missing, Holly reaches out to the tribe and Tim's platoon for help. Denise catches Michael in a compromising position. Latasha and Quincy receive news about his military career. Gloria continues to be pulled between Hector and Patrick. Roland and Joan prepare to say goodbye to Fort Marshall. Written by Anonymous