Minn. Guard welcomes 12 troops from Afghanistan

Associated Press

Last update: November 6, 2009 - 5:18 AM

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Minnesota National Guard is welcoming home 12 soldiers on Friday from a one-year deployment to Afghanistan.

The soldiers from the Guard's first Operational Mentoring Liaison Team are scheduled to arrive about 12:30 p.m. at the Cedar Street Armory in St. Paul. Family and friends are expected to attend the welcome home ceremony.

The soldiers served alongside Croatians as part of the International Security Assistance Force providing support to the Afghan National Army.

During their tour, the Minnesotans completed more than 50 combat patrols and counterinsurgency missions with NATO troops and Afghan National Security Forces.

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