77 Ariz. guardsmen return from Afghanistan

77 Ariz. guardsmen return from Afghanistan
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Jan 18, 2008 5:49:56 EST

TUCSON, Ariz. — The first group of more than 450 Arizona Army National Guard soldiers who have spent the past year in Afghanistan have returned home.

The group of 77 soldiers with the Marana-based 285th Aviation Battalion was greeted by hundreds of family and well-wishers at their base at Pinal Air Park on Wednesday.

The battalion — which flies and maintains Apache attack helicopters that provide close-air support for ground troops — spent the past year conducting combat operations.

“They flew a lot, and they kicked a lot of butt while they were over there,” said Maj. Gen. David P. Rataczak, commander of the Arizona National Guard.

Four members earned the Bronze Star, one the Purple Heart and 50 earned Combat Action Badges. Aircraft with the 285th flew 5,126 combat hours, the longest of any unit in Afghanistan.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/01/ap_arizonaguard_080117/