GLAD TO BE HOME — An unidentified soldier waves the state flag as a Tennessee Air Guard C-130 taxis to its parking position Tuesday at the National Guard’s Flight Facility in Smyrna carrying soldiers of the 278th Armored Calvary Regiment. Almost 1,700 Guardsmen of the 278th have arrived in Tennessee since mid-June. The entire regiment of 3,400 is due home by the end of August. Tenn. National Guard Public Affairs photo, Nate Crawford
Family Readiness Group Leader Sheila Cannon, who acts as liaison between the families and the unit, said some families will be at the armory at 4185 Dalton Pike between now and Sunday making signs and planning activities to keep everyone occupied while they are waiting on bus to arrive.
“Everyone is coming home safely,” she said. “But it has been a long deployment. It has been a long year and we are just ready to get them all home.”
The 252nd is at Fort Dix, N.J., for processing after returning from its deployment in Al Kut, Iraq.
According to information from the Tennessee National Guard Media Affairs Office, the returning soldiers of the 278th represent units from 10 cities from across the state. More than 1,000 soldiers from the regiment have returned from Iraq since mid-June. The Knoxville-based regiment of approximately 3,400 is coming home six months earlier than expected, and all of its units are scheduled to be back in Tennessee by the end of August.
Units from Newport, Kingsport and Covington. Newport and Kingsport arrived in Smyna by C-130 aircraft Tuesday followed Wednesday by units from Springfield, Clarksville, Henderson and Crossville. Knoxville, New Tazewell, and Lobelville units are scheduled to arrive Friday.
