CONTACT: Sgt. John Howard, 607-345-0985

FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, Sep 26, 2012

UTICA, N.Y. (09/26/2012)(readMedia)-- Some 13 Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment arrive back home at their New York Army National Guard armory here for family reunions. WHAT: Homecoming reunion for New York Army National Guard Soldiers following their deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. WHO: 13 Soldiers of the 2-108th Infantry, along with family and friends. WHEN: Wednesday, September 26 at approx. 5:30 p.m. WHERE: New York State Armory, 1700 Parkway East, Utica, N.Y. 13501 Media Opportunity: Imagery of the family reunions as Soldiers return home from a ten-month absence. Media representatives must contact Sgt. John Howard at 607-345-0985 for access to the facility. Background: The Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment and Company C of the 427th Brigade Support Battalion deployed to Afghanistan as Task Force Iron to perform a security mission in bases around that country. While in Afghanistan, the Task Force was responsible for enhancing the capability of Afghan National Security Forces to secure Highway One from Herat City to Nimroz Province. The unit conducted 577 combat missions over the course of the summer fighting season, including combined operations with Afghan soldiers and police, as well as with NATO partners from Italy and Slovenia. The Soldiers completed their demobilization tasks at Camp Shelby, Miss. last week prior to their return home. The Soldiers will return to their armory by bus to meet with their family members. The Soldiers were among 1,800 New York Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team who mobilized in January for service in Afghanistan and Kuwait. This redeployment is the second arrival of troops assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry, headquartered in Utica with Soldiers from armories in Ithaca, Ogdensburg, Morrisonville, Ithaca, Saranac Lake, and Gloversville. More than 200 Soldiers from the task force returned home over the past week, including a large contingent of Soldiers arriving on Sunday, September 23 in both Syracuse and Albany. This troop redeployment will include the balance of nearly 250 Soldiers to return home. Another element of the battalion, Company A, based in Geneseo, deployed to Kuwait with other elements of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Those Soldiers will be home later this fall.