Lansing Michigan Army National Guard Soldiers return from Iraq

LANSING, MICH. - Following a 12-month tour of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, approximately 115 Michigan Army National Guard Soldiers from the Grand Ledge-based 1-147th Assault Battalion will return home.

The Soldiers are scheduled to arrive for a homecoming ceremony at the Army Aviation Facility #1, 10600 W. Eaton Hwy., Grand Ledge on June 17, 2011 at 11:15 a.m.

After training and certification at Fort Hood, Texas, 1-147th Assault Battalion became the first National Guard unit to deploy with UH60M Black Hawk helicopters. They travelled to Kuwait where they were then split up and sent to three separate locations; Camp Taji near Baghdad, Contingency Operating Base Adder in Tallil, and Contingency Operating Base Basrah near the border of Kuwait and Iran.

For their outstanding service during the deployment Sgt. 1st Class Danny Dowd, Capt. Kathryn Prater, 1st Sgt. Steve Williams, and Capt. Nate Hude will each received a Bronze Star Medal.

Today, more than 1,800 Michigan National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are deployed across the globe in support of the global war on terrorism; however, as the Michigan National Guard serves the nation abroad, more than 90 percent of the force is available, trained and ready to respond to a state emergency including a terrorist event.

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MEDIA ADVISORY:
Media is invited to attend the homecoming ceremony.

For more information, contact Brittany Simon at 517-481-8141 or 989-205-3890.