Oklahoma Soldiers From The 45th To Return Home Saturday

A massive homecoming is planned on Saturday as the first large group of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat team (IBCT) is scheduled to return to Oklahoma soil.

The Oklahoma National Guard Office of Public Affairs said about 130 soldiers will return from Afghanistan and Kuwait and arrive in Oklahoma City on Saturday, March 3.

This is the fifth group of soldiers from the 45th to return to Oklahoma as part of their end of mission de-mobilization process.

2/17/2012 Related Story: Oklahoma National Guard Soldiers Return Home Friday

The group is expected to arrive at the Army Aviation hanger at Will Rogers Air National Guard (ANG) Base at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Will Rogers ANG Base is located on S.W. 54th Street just west of Will Rogers World Airport.

Family and friends are expected to welcome the returning troops. The public also is encouraged to attend the welcome home celebration. U.S. Representative James Lankford and Maj. Gen. Myles Deering, the adjutant general for Oklahoma plan to be in attendance.

Nearly 2,200 Oklahoma Army National Guardsmen from the 45th deployed to Afghanistan in June and are currently in various stages of the de-mobilization process. An additional 800 Oklahoma Guardsmen from the 45th deployed to Kuwait at the same time and are also in the process of de-mobilization.

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