By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Fifty-five members of the 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion arrived at the Niagara Falls Air Base Friday evening. Family members and friends were on hand to welcome them as they arrived aboard C-130s flown by the base's own 914th Air Wing.
"It's always been a pleasure to fly our local citizen soldiers and airmen home to their loved ones knowing they successfully accomplished the mission on behalf of our nation and the Western New York community," said 914th commanding officer Colonel Jim Roberts.
The 402nd has spent more than a year in Iraq. WBFO News had been in contact with one of the 402nd's members, local radio broadcaster Thomas Tran, who arrived home last week.
The 402nd lost one of its own, Specialist Charles Bush, Jr., in December when he was killed in a roadside bombing. Two others were seriously wounded.
The remaining 60 members of the 402nd still in Iraq are expected to return this Spring.