Local Cop, Grandmother Among Returning 45th Soldiers

Almost all of the soldiers from Oklahoma's 45th have returned home from Afghanistan and Kuwait.

The National Guard says just 45 soldiers from the state are still in Afghanistan and they'll be coming home soon too. For Natasha Otte, her fiancé is returning after a year in Kuwait and months of training.

"Haven't slept much, just giddy. You know?" Otte said. "It's nice to know he's gonna be safe. 

The Oklahoma City Police Department will get one of its officers back as well.

"I have a couple weeks before I can go back to the department," 1^st Lt. Terrance Clinton Teel said. "Yes ma'am I work inside for the Oklahoma City police department and I'm looking forward to getting back it'll be good to be back."

4/7/2012 Related Story: Final Large Group Of 45th Brigade Soldiers Return To Oklahoma

For Sgt. DeCarla Steele, it's a sense of relief.

"It just feels like I can release now," said Steele. "It's been military from day one and I'm just glad to be home."

The wife and mother can't wait to spend time with the newest member of the family, Steele became a grandmother overseas.

"Just have to become a normal person again, but it's all good. I got my family here and my grandson so it's awesome."

"We're all just proud of the soldiers coming home and our hearts go out to all the families who don't have people coming back," said Otte.

Fourteen soldiers with the 45^th were killed serving overseas during this deployment.

The next solider arrivals will be in smaller groups within the next two to three weeks.