BEND, Ore. (AP) - After nearly a year in Afghanistan, approximately 190 soldiers of the Bend-based Oregon Army National Guard unit have returned home.
The Bend Bulletin reports (https://bit.ly/1cL5mJQ ) that the end of their deployment was marked by a demobilization ceremony at Vince Genna Stadium Saturday with several elected officials in attendance.
The 1st Squadron, 82nd Cavalry Regiment, left Oregon last June and spent half of its deployment in western Afghanistan at Shindand Air Base.
The Oregon military department says in December the squadron was the last U.S. military unit to leave the air base. The soldiers were then reassigned to defend the International Security Assistance Forces headquarters in Kabul.
More than 90 percent of the soldiers in the unit earned a Combat Action Badge. 26 soldiers received Bronze Star Medals and three were awarded the Purple Heart.
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Information from: The Bulletin, https://www.bendbulletin.com
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