Gov. Mead, Family, Friends Welcome Troops Back To Wyoming

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Friends and family gathered at the Cheyenne airport to welcome home several of the Wyoming National Guard troops who have been deployed to Afghanistan and Kosovo.

Gov. Matt Mead was among those on hand for ceremonies Wednesday at the Wyoming Air National Guard headquarters.

The Associated Press reports  those returning included Specialist Brandon Dugar, whose girlfriend and close to a dozen friends and relatives welcomed him off the plane from Denver.

Forty-four Wyoming troops have been deployed to Afghanistan and Kosovo.

They include 23 troops with 777th Aviation Support Battalion who provided aviation support for the North Dakota Army National Guard in Kosovo. In addition, 21 airmen with the 153rd Airlift Wing are returning from Afghanistan.