Special to the Journal

Alabama Army National Guard officials announced today the return of the 1670th Transportation Company from Iraq.

Approximately 30 soldiers of the 1670th, which is based in Troy and Brantley,

will return to Alabama today after spending a year transporting supplies and equipment in and around Iraq.

The troops returned to the U.S. last week and have spent the past few days at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin outprocessing from active duty.

Instead of returning back to Alabama as a group, the soldiers will travel home on separate commercial flights - courtesy of the Army.

“The Army decided to provide a convenient way for the troops to return home by allowing them to fly back to an airport that is near their home of record here in Alabama,” said Lt. Col. Robert Horton, spokesperson for the Alabama National Guard.

“Flying the soldiers directly home instead making them travel to another military installation will be a great Christmas gift for the soldiers and their families.” said Horton.

A Welcome Home Ceremony will be held in Troy and Brantley sometime after the holidays.