DC Army National Guard unit returns from 10 months in Afghanistan

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Soldiers of the 273rd Military Police Company, DC National Guard, arrive home after ten months in Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON, DC (10/15/2012)(readMedia)-- Approximately 70 returning members of the D.C. National Guard's 273rd Military Police Company received a warm welcome from friends, family and fellow Guardsmen at the D.C. National Guard Armory Oct. 14 after a 10-month deployment to Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.

"These are the heroes of the D.C. National Guard and they went out and served our country and served us proud," said Col. Aaron Dean, commander of the 74th Troop Command, in an interview Oct. 8 at Fort Bliss, Texas while waiting for his troops to arrive.

"Now we're here to welcome them back and to let them know how good of a job they've done for us representing the D.C. Guard and representing the National Guard of the United States." said Dean.

Each wave of returning soldiers received a warm welcome from the family support group, members of the 273rd Rear Detachment and other members of the D.C. National Guard, even the group arriving after 1 a.m. Several members of the 273rd who arrived on earlier flights stayed late into the night to welcome back their teammates.

While deployed, the Soldiers of the 273rd provided military police assets, managed mail operations and a dining facility, conducted logistics and personnel convoys and provided physical security details to American personnel.

"In my mind, they did the United States proud by providing security for the base in Afghanistan and providing security for the forces that serve our country," said Dean. "I can't thank these guys enough for the job that they do."

Soldiers were released for 24 hours to be with friends and family. They will report back to the unit to finish administrative processing and classes on reintegration and available resources.

"I'm going to the movies," said Spc. Melissa Ervin, a military police member of 1st Platoon, before seeing her family for the first time in months.

"I'm very excited to be back," said Pfc. Jamal Winfield, a cook assigned to 2nd Platoon. "It means the world to be back in the States. I want to spend as much time with my family that I can."

By Staff Sgt. Michelle Gonzalez, 715th Public Affairs Detachment