Lansing, Mich. – Following a 12-month tour in Iraq, 145 Michigan Army National Guard Soldiers from the 126^th Armor Battalion are expected to return on Sunday around 10:30 a.m. at Caledonia High School, at 9050 Kraft Ave.  The battalion is comprised of soldiers from Manistee, Cadillac, South Haven, Dowagiac, Three Rivers, and Grand Rapids.

The Soldiers were called to active duty December 2004 and sent to Fort Dix, N.J., for in-processing and mission specific training.  They arrived in Kuwait January 2005 and were sent to Iraq shortly afterwards.  While in country, the unit provided critical site security and route security. 

Today, approximately 1,200 Michigan National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are deployed across the globe, at locations such as Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Bosnia.  Since Sept., 11, 2001, 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.