Local soldiers returning from Afghanistan will hit their home bases in Calhoun and Dalton, Ga., sometime Tuesday.
The Headquarters and Charlie troops of the 1st Squadron 108th Cavalry were attached to the Georgia Army National Guard's 48th Infantry Combat Brigade Team during its nearly yearlong deployment near Kabul, Afghanistan.
The soldiers helped to train Afghan security and police during their tour, said Lt. Col. Ken Baldowski, guard spokesman.
Units with the 48th have been returning in intervals since late February to Fort Stewart, Ga. The local troops have been at Fort Stewart for the last week conducting demobilization prior to coming home.
The rest of the units will continue to return to the fort throughout the month.
IF YOU GO
What: Welcome home ceremony for 48th soldiers
When: 2 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Dalton High School
Members of Operation Uplift, a Dalton-based military support group, have planned a welcome home ceremony on Tuesday.
At least five soldiers with the 48th died during the deployment. The fallen soldiers include local soldiers 1st Sgt. John Blair of Calhoun, Ga., and Sgt. Raymundo "Ray" Morales of Dawnville, Ga.
On May 17, 2009 Sgt. 1st Class Boyles, Spc. Andrew Sullens and Spc. Anthony Landowski, who is from Ringgold, Ga., were on combat patrol when an improvised explosive device blew the doors off their vehicle and sent them home for surgery and recuperation. They all are members of the Dalton, Ga.-based C Troop 1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry.
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