Huntsville Guard unit returns home next week

HUNTSVILLE (AP) — About 130 members of a Huntsville-based Alabama Army National Guard unit that served a yearlong tour in Iraq without any fatalities will return home next week.

The 128th Military Police Company is expected return to the armory the weekend of Oct. 13-14 to a welcome-home ceremony.

Kelly Black, wife of Staff Sgt. Christopher Black, said she will know the unit's arrival date next week when it reaches Camp Shelby near Hattiesburg, Miss.

In June 2006, the 128th deployed for training at Camp Shelby and Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. The unit deployed in October after an eight-day break to provide security in Iraq and train police there.

Black said the ceremony will be short so reunited families can spend more time together.

She said about 20 soldiers in the 150-member unit were sent home early because of medical problems or injuries.

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