Edmunds County Tribune -

A welcome home ceremony was held for 110 soldiers with the South Dakota Army National Guard's Alpha Battery, 1-147th Field Artillery Battalion and 147th Forward Support Company at the Civic Arena in Aberdeen on Saturday, July 25 at 2:30 p.m.

The soldiers returned home after serving on a 10-month deployment to Europe in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, which enhances the U.S. deterrence posture, increase the readiness and responsiveness of U.S. forces in Europe, and supports the collective defense and security of U.S. allies and partners.

Family members were first reunited at the Aberdeen Regional Airport. The procession made its way to the Arena, allowing community members to offer their welcome and support with signs and waves along the way.

The ceremony was limited to unit soldiers and their family members, as well as SDNG leadership, to allow for health and social distancing guidelines. The ceremony can be live streamed viewing via Facebook at: http://www. facebook.com/SouthDakotaNationalGuard.

Speakers for the ceremony include Gov. Kristi Noem, Maj. Gen. Jeff Marlette, SDNG adjutant general, and Capt. Craig Evenson, Alpha Battery commander. Special guests were the South Dakota Congressional delegates - Sen. John Thune, Sen. Mike Rounds and Rep. Dusty Johnson.

The Aberdeen-based Alpha Battery is equipped with the Multiple Launch Rocket System, or MLRS, and provides artillery support to a brigade, division, corps or coalition task force. The Watertown-based Forward Support Company is a multi-functional logistics unit which provides supply and maintenance support.

The unit arrived in the United States July 8 and have been completing demobilization requirements at Fort Hood, Texas, before returning to South Dakota.