PRESS RELEASE
June 7, 2006
 

Lansing, Mich. – Following a 12 month tour of duty in Afghanistan, 15 Michigan Army National Guard Soldiers from the Wyoming-based 126th Armor Battalion will return home tomorrow.  They are expected to arrive at the Wyoming Armory in Wyoming between 3:30 and 5:15 p.m.    

The Soldiers were called to active duty April 2005 and sent to Fort Benning, Ga., for in-processing and mission specific training.   They arrived in country June 2005.  While in Afghanistan, the Soldiers lived with a battalion of the Afghan National Army, as they trained them on mechanized infantry and dismounted infantry tactics.  They participated in the Afghanistan National Parliamentary Elections Security and Operation Mountain Lion. 

Today, approximately 1300 Michigan National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are deployed across the globe to locations such as Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Kosovo.  Since Sept., 11, 2001, approximately 75 percent of the Michigan Guard has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom; however, as Michigan troops serve the nation, more than 80 percent of the Michigan Guard remains available and ready to respond to a state emergency including a terrorist event.

 MEDIA ADVISORY

Media and the public are invited to attend the welcome home ceremonies at the Wyoming Armory, 1200 44th Street, Wyoming, Mich. For a more exact time please contact Lt. Col. Royer after 1 p.m. on Thursday.   

(For more information, contact Lt. Col. Curtis Royer at (616) 249-2756.)