LATHAM, N.Y. - Twenty-Five soldiers of the New York Army National Guard's 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team return to the Buffalo area tonight, Christmas Eve, after demobilizating at Camp Shelby, Miss. The soldiers have been away from home for about a year.
They are among 100 National Guard soldiers will be reunited with their families at armories in Syracuse, Buffalo, Rochester, the Capital Region, New York City, and Newburgh tonight.
WHAT: Homecoming reunion for New York Army National Guard soldiers following their deployment to Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
WHO: Twenty-five soldiers of 27th Infantry Brigade, along with family and friends will reunite at the Connecticut Street Armory in Buffalo
WHEN: Monday, Dec. 24, at approximately 10 p.m. (Soldiers may arrive earlier - plane is due to arrive in Syracuse at 7 p.m.), news media should call for updates to arrival times and plan to arrive early.)
WHERE: New York State Armory, 184 Connecticut Street, Buffalo, N.Y. 14213
Media Opportunity:
Imagery of the family reunions as soldiers return home from nearly a year-long absence.
Media representatives must contact Staff Sgt. Adam Fiegl, 716-725-5063 for access to the facility or updates to the arrival time.
Background:
Approximately 100 more soldiers from the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team return home Dec. 24 to armories in New York City, Newburgh, Latham, Morrisonville, Rochester and Buffalo.
Most of the soldiers deployed with this group served in Kuwait. The soldiers performed logistics, administrative and security missions while deployed. This group follows the return of 120 soldiers on Dec. 22, and two other groups earlier this month.
1,700 New York Army National Guard soldiers of the 27th Brigade mobilized in January 2012 at Camp Shelby. The unit deployed in support of more than 25 different missions and locations throughout the Middle East.
Some 200 New York National Guard soldiers remain at Camp Shelby, conducting demobilization while an additional 200 soldiers remain deployed overseas, preparing to return to the United States later this month or early January.
Demobilization will continue through the holidays, with only Christmas Day set aside as a holiday. Troops will continue to return home into the New Year.