CHARLESTON, W.Va. — There were many hugs, smiles and tears when more than 140 members of the West Virginia Air National Guard returned home Saturday following a deployment to the Middle East.
Gov. Jim Justice was among those on hand to welcome home the members of the Guard’s 821st Horizontal Construction Company who arrived on commercial aircraft at Yeager Airport in the Capital City. They were then greeted by family and friends at the Guard’s base nearby.
“On behalf of all West Virginians, Cathy and I want to welcome home all the brave men and women who have been overseas defending freedom,” Gov. Justice said in a news release. “We are so happy for their safe return and so appreciative of the sacrifices they and their families have made for all of us here at home.
According to Guard officials, the soldiers served a combined a total 28,000 man hours on missions in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia.
“Deployments are never easy, either on those serving or those left behind on the home front,” state Adjutant General Maj. Gen. James Hoyer said. “The families and soldiers of the 821st can rest easy tonight now that they are back home on West Virginia soil. They can be proud knowing they completed their mission with honor and professionalism, and that their service and sacrifices help continue to build the noble legacy of the National Guard.”