FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Second major wave of Georgia Guardsmen returning home from Afghanistan

Clay National Guard Center, March 17, 2010 -- The second major wave of more than 400 Soldiers of Georgia’s 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team will be returning home in late March following a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan.

Units of Georgia’s 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry are expected to begin arriving on Sunday, March 21 and continuing each day through Wednesday, March 24. 

This return follows the early March homecoming of Savannah’s 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery and Calhoun's 1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry.  The return of Soldiers of the 48th IBCT will continue through April.

Soldiers assigned to subordinate units of the 1-121st in Winder (Headquarters and Echo Company), Lawrenceville (Alpha Company), Covington (Bravo Company), Gainesville (Charlie Company) and Milledgeville (Delta Company), will be returning home throughout this period.

In Afghanistan, Soldiers of the 1-121st were charged with the responsibility for all Afghan National Security Force Development in Paktika Province of southeast Afghanistan. They partnered with, lived with and fought with the Afghan National Army, Police and Border Police.  Many of the locations they occupied had only ever previously been occupied by Special Forces - or never at all. 

The 1-121st also had a company working directly with the Polish Battle Group conducting combined action in Ghazni province.  Another company in Paktika Province conducted combined action with the local ANA.  

Soldiers will land at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah and immediately board buses to Fort Stewart. A short welcome home ceremony is planned before Soldiers are released to their families at Fort Stewart. 

Arrival dates and times are subject to change without notice.  Media wishing to cover ceremonies at Fort Stewart should contact Kevin Larson, Media Relations Coordinator at (912) 435-9879, or BB at (912) 210-9375.  For information about the 48th Brigade, contact Lt. Col. (Ret.) Ken Baldowski at (678) 569-6064, or BB at (404) 227-1830.