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MILITARY Southern Oregon National Guard regiment returns from Afghanistan Local National Guard regiment returns after almost nine months in Afghanistan Comment By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 23, 2015 at 4:52 PM Updated Jun 23, 2015 at 5:27 PM By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 23, 2015 at 4:52 PM Updated Jun 23, 2015 at 5:27 PM » Social News After nine months in Afghanistan, about 200 Southern Oregon troops will return home to their families Wednesday. “The Oregon National Guard is proud of their service, and we look forward to welcoming them home,” said Oregon Military Department public affairs specialist Sgt. 1st Class April Davis. Troops from the First Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, part of the 41st Infantry Brigade combat team, departed for Afghanistan in September. The Oregon National Guard troops have been back in the United States for a "few weeks," undergoing demobilization processes, Davis said. "They'll touch down on Oregon soil tomorrow. They're coming from Fort Hood, Texas," David said. In Texas, the soldiers go through routine medical checks, fill out paperwork and take steps to ensure they receive the pay and benefits they earned. “They do process through Fort Hood before they’re able to actually come home,” Davis said. "They go through pay and finance, medical, dental, vision to ensure that nothing has changed."  The troops are returning home on two chartered flights, a morning flight and an evening flight, then will be bused from the Medford airport to local armories, where they'll reunite with their families. "The first flight will have soldiers from Coos Bay, Grants Pass and Roseburg areas," Davis said. "We have that first group coming to their respective locations in the morning." The evening flight will carry troops from the Medford and Ashland areas. From the airport, they will be transported to the Medford armory to reunite with loved ones. After arrival, the soldiers will receive 30 days of paid leave prior to an official demobilization ceremony, planned for 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at Spiegelberg Stadium near Central Medford High School, 1551 Cunningham Ave. The homecoming follows the early release of approximately 70 soldiers from the regiment who returned to Medford the first week of May. "About 70 returned to Medford a bit early," Davis said. "This is the balance of that union, and there's nearly 200." Most family members have been notified by the soldiers themselves, but others have been notified through volunteers who serve as a liaison between the regiment and solders' families. “We also have family readiness groups,” Davis said. “They work with the units to put out information to the families.” Reach newsroom assistant Nick Morgan at [email protected] or 541-776-4477. By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 23, 2015 at 4:52 PM Updated Jun 23, 2015 at 5:27 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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