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Friday, September 14, 2007: Hundreds of relatives and friends greeted about 220 returning Kansas National Guard members: 1st Battalion, 108th Aviation Regiment. The regiment is headquartered in Topeka and has companies in Topeka; Salina; Austin, Texas; and Boone, Iowa. They are an air assault helicopter unit, flying UH-60 Black Hawks, . Members were deployed in April 2006 to Fort Hood, Texas, then in September 2006 to Iraq. Their mission was reported as combat air assault, transporting dignitaries by air, and helping move of troops and supplies. Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, Kansas' adjutant general welcomed back the soldiers. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, Sen. Sam Brownback, Congresswoman Nancy Boyda and Kansas House Speaker Melvin Neufeld were among state leaders welcoming home the troops, who arrived by airplane at Forbes Field and were escorted to the arena by the American Legion riders and Patriot Guard riders. |
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American Legion and Patriot Guard escort use motorcycles. |
Rider escort. |
Friends & family wait at Expo Centre. |
Families stand at attention awaiting the soldiers' return. |
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Loved ones wait with personal messages. |
Guardsmen unload soldiers' duffle bags. |
Troops stand in formation awaiting orders to move indoors. |
Boy wears camouflage. |
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Channel 13 news crew. |
Military band sounded GREAT! |
Command leaders. |
Troops march in to cheers and waving flags. |
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Commanding officers stand in honor. |
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, commander-in-chief. |
Troops stand at attention. |
Troops receive praise. |
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Troy is welcomed home. |
Troy with Great Uncle Jack, WWII vet. |
Sue and Ray welcome home their son. |
Troy climbs the banister. |
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Troy's Welcome Home committee. |
Troy hugs his mom. |
Expo Centre crowds stand. |
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Soldiers seek family. |
Released soldiers scurry to find family members. |
Free, and out the door! |
 Dad grabs his bags to leave. |
 Mom is home! |
 Soldier searches for her duffle bag. |