Soldiers From 45th Infantry Return To Oklahoma Soil

Members of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team arrived back home to the waiting arms of their loved ones Saturday in Oklahoma City.

It's the fifth group returning from Afghanistan as the Oklahoma National Guard team is demobilized in stages.

The soldiers arrived at the Army Aviation hanger at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base Saturday morning. Friends and family were on hand for the homecoming celebration.

3/2/2012 Related Story: Oklahoma Military Families Wait For Return Of 45th Infantry Soldiers

The soldiers are returning from a mission that claimed the lives of several soldiers – a mission that took them into some of the most hostile regions of Afghanistan.

Nearly 2,200 Oklahoma Army National Guardsmen from the 45th deployed to Afghanistan in June. An additional 800 members deployed to Kuwait and are also being de-mobilized.

Pay tribute to Oklahoma's Fallen Heroes

Fallen soldiers from the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team:

Sgt. Mycal L. Prince of Minco

Specialist Joshua Seals of Porter 

1st L. Damon Leehan of Moore

Spc. Jordan Morris of Stillwater

Lt. Joe L. Cunningham of Kingston

2nd Lt. Jered W. Ewy of Edmond

 Private 1st Class Augustus J. Vicari of Broken Arrow

 Sgt. Anthony Del Mar Peterson of Chelsea

 Staff Sgt. Kirk Owen of Sapulpa

Sgt. Bret Isenhower of Seminole

Spc. Francisco J. Briseno-Alvarez Jr.

Specialist Christopher D. Horton of Collinsville

Private First Class Tony J. Potter Jr. of Okmulgee

Specialist Chris Gailey of Ochelata

Private First Class Sarina Butcher of Checotah

News On 6 reporter Grant Sloan was in Oklahoma City for the homecoming. Keep checking back to NewsOn6.com updates to this story and watch the 5, 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts.