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Heroes Come Home: NCNG 1450th Returns to High Country After Yearlong Tour Overseas

By Jess Lyons

U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan, Public Affairs.
U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan, Public Affairs.

After a yearlong tour in Kuwait, the soldiers of the North Carolina National Guard 1450th Transportation Company celebrated their homecoming event as they returned to the open arms of family and friends on Jan. 12 at the National Guard Armory in Charlotte.

Families waited in anxious anticipation as they received updates of the soldiers’ travel status throughout the day. After one final dismissal, the soldiers were reunited with their loved ones.

A video from the homecoming published by WBTV News shows a reunion of relieved family members and elated soldiers. Sgt. Juwan Benjamin was reunited with his two daughters, the youngest of which turned two during his yearlong tour. Like the other soldiers, Benjamin said he’s ready to be home. Watch WBTV’s video recapping the homecoming event to see more reactions from soldiers and their families.

The company, based in Lenoir, returned from Operation Resolute Support, a mission that was primarily focused on transportation, convoy support and training the local authorities to step in after the U.S. soldiers left. Roughly 160 soldiers make up the company, and they hail from Watauga, Ashe and Caldwell counties.

Operation Resolute Support was the first tour for more than 60 percent of the soldiers in the 1450th. In the past, the company has completed tours in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The 1450th has now deployed on overseas missions for nearly 13 consecutive years.

Visit the NCNG on Facebook for more information and announcements related to tours and other efforts.

See more photos on the NCNG’s Flickr account.

U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan, Public Affairs.
U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan, Public Affairs.
U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan, Public Affairs.
U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan, Public Affairs.
U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan, Public Affairs.
U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan, Public Affairs.
U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan, Public Affairs.
U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan, Public Affairs.

 

 

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