Families welcome home Utah National Guard soldiers after Africa deployment

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah families are welcoming home soldiers with the Utah National Guard this weekend as 150 Utah soldiers returned home Saturday from a nearly yearlong military mission to Africa. KSL-TV was there as their plane arrived, and they greeted their families.

Walking off the plane to families anxious for their return, soldiers came home Saturday to hugs long overdue. For loved ones greeting them, it was their best day ever.

"We're very excited. It's been a long year, so we're very excited to have him home," said Stephanie Brice, wife of a returning soldier.

First Sgt. Justin Brice was part of the last 150 soldiers with the Utah Army National Guard 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, returning Saturday from their 10-month mission to Africa. He said it's been tough to be away.

"When people talk about the sacrifice the military goes through, I mean that's it," Brice said.

The soldiers are happy to be home but also proud of the service they provided: establishing security and stability in the Horn of Africa and building embassy relationships.

"I think our team over there did a great job; we were able to get into a couple embassies that we hadn't been before and make some progress," said Col. Woodrow Miner, Utah National Guard 204th M.E.B.

For some, it was their first deployment.

"Feels good; I'm glad it's done, but I'd probably do it again as well though," said specialist Joshua Haslam, Utah National Guard 204th M.E.B.

Brice comes home to a list of new missions waiting for him.

"Oh yeah, we always have a honey-do list," Stephanie Brice said, laughing.

The returning soldiers are roughly half of those deployed in that nearly yearlong mission. The others returned home to Utah on Christmas Eve. All of them have a lot of catching up to do.

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