Group of 150 Oklahoma soldiers to return home Saturday

More Oklahoma National Guard soldiers from the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team will be returning home this weekend.

Officials announced Thursday morning that about 150 soldiers will return from Afghanistan and Kuwait on Saturday. This group will be the final large group of Oklahoma National Guard soldiers to return to Oklahoma following deployments to Afghanistan and Kuwait.

Soldiers are expected to arrive at the Army Aviation hangar at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, SW 54 Street, at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Many family and friends are expected to warmly welcome the returning troops and the general public is encouraged to attend.

Nearly 2,200 Oklahoma Army National Guardsmen from the 45th Infantry Brigade deployed to Afghanistan in June and an additional 800 Oklahoma Guardsman also deployed to Kuwait at the same time.

Photo by Nate Billings:  Returning soldiers listen to a speech during a homecoming ceremony for members of the Oklahoma National Guard’s 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team returning from Afghanistan at the Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma City, Friday, March 30, 2012.

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