SALT LAKE CITY – Joyous family members welcomed home Utah soldiers Saturday who returned after a deployment to Kosovo.
Eleven soldiers from the Utah National Guard’s 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade returned after a 10-month deployment.
The soldiers were there to support NATO forces in Kosovo. Many soldiers were returning from their second or even their third deployment.
Austin Miller is one of the soldiers who returned, and he said coming home is a welcome adjustment. He also said he is grateful for the support from the people of Utah.
“You realize a lot of things you're missing out on,” he said. “It's going to be hard to get reintegrated to that, but you're excited to do it with all your family and friends.”
Robert Brinton, another member of the unit, said it will be nice to relax.
“I'm excited and looking forward to some R&R to be honest with you,” he said. “That's what we're going to do, and spend time with the family.”
Other soldiers in the unit, approximately 20 in total, will be returning in the coming days. Flight times for the other soldiers are expected to be announced early next week.
