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(KSL News) – There were some very happy families at Hill Air Force Base tonight. About 200 Air Force reservists with the 419th squadron arrived back home from Iraq. They’ve been there since August.
Family members had signs, balloons, flags, and they'd been waiting for quite a while tonight; the arrival of the unit had been delayed a couple of times, but they're all back safe and sound now.
Earlier today, another group left Hill and headed to Iraq. At Camp Williams, it wasn't troops coming home. Eight members of the 1457th Engineering Battalion were re-enlisting, extending their service for another two to six years. Most of them are familiar with dangerous missions; they've been to Iraq before, for a 15-month period. They say their time in Iraq was rewarding, and that's why they're willing to go for round two.
Sgt. Cody Mitchell, Utah National Guard: "Yeah, it's a big decision, but one I'm happy to make for my family for my country. Every time I put the uniform on, it's wow, great feeling. Doing it for my country, for my family."
The 1457th paved roads, reconstructed bombed out buildings, confiscated weapons and helped to fortify American bases.
