Their stay in Iraq was a bit shorter than expected, but the homecoming for Christiansburg based Company C proved special nonetheless.
About 105 Virginia National Guardsmen arrived back in the New River Valley this morning (Monday), after being on active federal duty since June 1st. The Guardsmen have been serving in Iraq since August, and came home early as part of the President's plan to remove U.S. forces from the country.
Banners and loved ones greeted the soldiers as they walked off the bus into the Christiansburg Armory this morning.
Some of the soldiers played with children they had been separated from, by the call to serve their country overseas. Others hugged and kissed loved ones. Many snapped pictures with family and friends.
The soldiers are part of a group of about 825 Soldiers from across the Commonwealth, who mobilized for duty in Iraq as Task Force 183 according to Major Cotton Puryear with the Guard.
The members of the task force were stationed at Contingency Operation Base Adder and Contingency Operation Station Kalsu, and focused on convoy security.
Maj. Puryear says the task force conducted 181 convoy escort missions, and drove more than 50,000 miles. The task force faced 22 enemy attacks, and luckily no soldiers were killed in action.
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