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National Guard Soldiers Returning Home After Year in Afghanistan

Approximately 190 soldiers assigned to the 1-151st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion stationed at McEntire Joint National Guard Base deployed to Afghanistan in August of last year are coming home.

Columbia, SC (WLTX) The Columbia Metropolitan Airport is quite the exciting place to be for families of soldiers stationed in Afghanistan.

"We're welcoming home our nephew, Adam Gunter. He's a CW3. He's an Apache helicopter pilot and he's coming home from Afghanistan today," said Doloris Helm.

Approximately 190 soldiers assigned to the 1-151st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion stationed at McEntire Joint National Guard Base deployed to Afghanistan in August of last year are coming home.

"My 2-year-old, she talks about daddy every day so I think she's gonna be really excited and jump in his arms...I'm beyond excited. I'm over the moon!" said Susie Lawson.

Under Operation Freedom's Sentinel, the unit provided aviation capabilities in Southern Afghanistan under the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade out of Fort Stewart, Georgia.

"We know that we need to be strong for her and give her the support and the encouragement that she's doing a good job and she's doing a noble cause in fighting for us," said Susan Boyd, whose daughter, Laura, returned home Thursday.

All soldiers returned safely.

"Knowing he's serving his country and doing what he's lived to do and he's protecting our freedom here, we're just thankful that he's home safe and sound." said Helm. "We pray for the fellow soldiers that are there to take his place right now so he could come home and be with his family."

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