Hundreds of Army National Guard troops reunite with family in Mississippi after yearlong deployment

Dozens of families waited on the tarmac at the Air National Guard base in Pearl, holding signs and cheering for their loved ones. Cheers erupted from the crowd when the doors to the plane opened. Guardsmen waved as they walked down the stairs carrying their belongings in backpacks.

The deployment is the latest in a decades-long mission to secure the nation's capital following the September 11th attacks.   Mississippi's 204th Air Defense Artillery unit was the first to be called to duty. Now, the unit is deployed every five years, according to Major General Bobby Ginn.

“They’re without a doubt the subject matter experts when it comes to this mission up there. I’m just proud for all of the soldiers,” said Ginn. “They’ve done a fantastic job for the last thirteen months. Certainly, a high-profile mission, and they have made Mississippi proud.”

Staff Sergeant Austin James of Brandon reunited with his parents. He said this past year was hard being so far from family.

“We did a lot of twelve-hour shifts inside a dark room looking at air pictures, making sure the airspace in D.C. was safe,” said James. “But I’m glad to be back home now.”

Specialist Jonathan Davis of Canton hugged his aunt, Tiffany Davis, when he reached her in a crowd of families. The two joked about their plans for lunch and possible vacations.

“A few times, I was able to come home on pass. It wasn’t enough for me. But now that I’m able to be back home, I have so many things planned I don’t even know what to do,” said Davis.

Tiffany Davis added, “I love having him home. I had to drive to come get him, but he’s here, so I can’t complain.”

A spokesperson for the National Guard said this mission in D.C. is not done in conjunction with the DC Safe and Beautiful Mission called by the Trump administration.