FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Company C, 3^rd Battalion, 116^th Infantry from Leesburg, Va., will return from Bosnia tonight. The unit is the first National Guard infantry unit to be mobilized and deployed since Vietnam. The 147-man unit is scheduled to arrive at Lawson Army Airfield at 7 p.m. They will proceed to the Harmony Church area to conduct their out-processing and depart for Virginia on Saturday.

While in Bosnia, the soldiers were assigned to guard a bridge in Slavonski Brod over the Sava river. This bridge connects Croatia to the Republic of Serbska. The bridge is an important asset to the Stabilization Forces in Bosnia. One platoon was always on the bridge for a week at a time, and resided in "Troll Village" a tent village under the bridge. The unit was also tasked with guarding the Life Support Area (LSA) for Task Force Pershing about a mile away. The rifle platoons alternated from securing the bridge to LSA security. The remainder of the rifle platoons comprised the QRF (Quick Reactionary Force). A rapid response team capable of reacting to situations at the bridge. They were required to maintain a readiness status 24 hours a day.

The unit was mobilized in September and spent more than a month training at Fort Polk, La., before deploying toBosnia. Forces Command requested an infantry unit from the National Guard Bureau (NGB) for the mission, and NGB in turn asked Virginia because it has the Reserve Component’s only light infantry division. The unit was selected due to its readiness posture and past performance.

Like the unit in Vietnam, Company C has proven their worth to the Total Army concept. The tradition of the citizen-soldier is a testament to the patriotism and professionalism that made this historic mission a success.

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FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Company C, 3^rd Battalion, 116^th Infantry from Leesburg, Va., will return to Virginia on Saturday. The unit is the first National Guard infantry unit to be mobilized and deployed since Vietnam. The unit is scheduled to arrive at Dulles Airport on two separate flights at approximately 8 and 9 p.m. They will proceed to their Armory to store their equipment.

While in Bosnia, the soldiers were assigned to guard a bridge in Slavonski Brod over the Sava river. This bridge connects Croatia to the Republic of Serbska. The bridge is an important asset to the Stabilization Forces in Bosnia. One platoon was always on the bridge for a week at a time, and resided in "Troll Village" a tent village under the bridge. The unit was also tasked with guarding the Life Support Area (LSA) for Task Force Pershing about a mile away. The rifle platoons alternated from securing the bridge to LSA security. The remainder of the rifle platoons comprised the QRF (Quick Reactionary Force). A rapid response team capable of reacting to situations at the bridge. They were required to maintain a readiness status 24 hours a day.

The unit was mobilized in September and spent more than a month training at Fort Polk, La., before deploying to Bosnia. Forces Command requested an infantry unit from the National Guard Bureau (NGB) for the mission, and NGB in turn asked Virginia because it has the Reserve Component’s only light infantry division. The unit was selected due to its readiness posture and past performance.

The unit arrived at Fort Benning on Wednesday, Apr. 22, and is conducting out-processing before being released to return home. The unit is scheduled to depart Fort Benning at 6 and 7 p.m. on Saturday. Upon arrival at Dulles, the unit will be bused to their Armory in Leesburg. They will be released that evening after their equipment is accounted for and stored. They will return to the Armory on Sunday to complete their out-processing from active duty.

A formal "Welcome Home" ceremony is planned for June 6 in Leesburg.

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The 129th Field Artillery Detachment from Sandston, Va. is scheduled to return to Fort Benning, Ga. between May 5 and 9 on 9 and be in Sandston on May 9.