SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — More than 60 citizen-soldiers in the Georgia National Guard are home from Afghanistan just in time for the holidays.
Troops from the 1st Battalion, 169th General Support Aviation Regiment were greeted by cheering spouses, children and parents when they arrived at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah on Thursday — exactly a week before Christmas. The unit, which flies Chinook helicopters used to carry troops and supplies, is shared by two states and also has about 60 soldiers returning home to Alabama.
The Georgia National Guard says this is the first year since 9/11 that none of its units will be deployed overseas at Christmas.
Being deployed 7,400 miles from home didn't stop some guardsmen from starting their Christmas shopping. Staff Sgt. Christopher Reynolds says he did most of his online.
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