LANSING, MICH. - Following a 14-month tour of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, approximately 140 Michigan Army National Guard Soldiers from the 146th Multifunctional Medical Battalion and the 1171st Area Support Medical Company, based in Ypsilanti, Mich., return home tomorrow.

The 1171st Area Support Medical Company is expected to arrive at the Ypsilanti Armory (7400 Huron River Drive, Ypsilanti) at 11 a.m.

The 146th Multifunctional Medical Battalion Soldiers will arrive at approximately 1 p.m. at the Grand Ledge Armory (10700 Eaton Hwy., Grand Ledge). U.S. and state representatives and senior military officials are scheduled to speak at the welcome home ceremonies.

The Soldiers mobilized to Fort Dix, N.J., July 2006 for in-processing and mission specific training. The 146th arrived in Iraq in September and the 1171st arrived October. The 146th provided administrative oversight for thirteen medical detachments and/or companies. The 1171st Soldiers provided medical care to more than 24,000 patients, medical support at mass casualty incidents, and ground evacuation for patients needing higher levels of care.

"The Michigan Army National Guard Soldiers treated U.S. and Allied Forces and were the first line of care to save Soldiers lives," said Maj. Elizabeth Peters, the officer in charge of operations, 272nd Regional Support Group, the higher headquarters to the battalion.

Today, more than 1,200 Michigan National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are deployed across the globe to locations such as Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Kosovo and the Arizona, New Mexico and Texas borders. Since Sept. 11, 2001, more than 9,000 Michigan Guard members have deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Jump Start; 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.

MEDIA ADVISORY

Media is invited to attend the welcome home ceremonies. Family and friends of the returning Soldiers are expected to arrive up to one hour early and are available for interviews.

Ypsilanti Armory, 7400 Huron River Drive, Ypsilanti, Mich.  Grand Ledge Armory, 10700 Eaton Hwy., Grand Ledge, Mich. For more information on the 1171st AMSC homecoming in Ypsilanti contact Staff Sgt. Gabriel Morse at 517-243-0587.