SYRACUSE - "Orion has landed". More than 100 New York Army National Guard Soldiers returned home, landing at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base on Tuesday afternoon, December 9.

The soldiers are members of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team who spent ten months in Afghanistan training members of the Afghan National Army.

Soldiers exiting the aircraft are greeted by Lt. Col. Reggie Sanders, Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Van Pelt and a host of well wishers from the "Rear Detachment"

The 27th BCT under the command of Colonel Brian K. Balf, mobilized in January 2008 to serve as part of Combined Joint Task Force - Phoenix VII. They are the first of approximately 1,700 NYARNG soldiers returning home over the coming weeks.

• (Read the Press Release of This Event)