250 S.C. guardsmen set to return today

[unhappycamper]

250 S.C. guardsmen set to return today
By Susanne M. Schafer - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday May 14, 2008 5:58:17 EDT

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s Army National Guard played a vital role in fighting Taliban militants during the unit’s yearlong deployment in Afghanistan, its commander said Tuesday.

Brig. Gen. Bob Livingston praised the 1,800-strong 218th Brigade Combat Team as its next-to-last contingent of some 70 soldiers returned home to the Palmetto State.

The 218th deployed to Afghanistan last year to train members of the Afghan military and police force in the state’s National Guard’s largest deployment since World War II.

They arrived at a critical juncture and helped local military forces turn the tide against the militants battling Afghanistan’s government, Livingston told families gathered to welcome their soldiers.

“They laid the foundation” for a return to peace in the embattled nation, he said. “They dealt the Taliban a resounding blow.”


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/05/ap_southcarolinaguard_051308/



uhc comment: 'a resounding blow'? Then how come the Marines are planning to put in another 3,500 troops? How's that poppy thing coming along?