U.P. Soldiers Return Friday Morning to Sawyer Int’l Airport

The Upper Peninsula will welcome home about 100 troops from the 1430th Engineer Battalion, of Gladstone, following a one year deployment. A chartered Delta Airlines plane will land at Sawyer International Airport with the Michigan Army National Guard troops at about 9:30 a.m.

Amy Jannauch, head of military family support for the UP, asks that family and friends not meet the plane at Sawyer, but instead make plans to go to Delta County for the homecoming event.

The Patriot Guard Riders have been invited to welcome home the 1430th Engineer Battalion. This group of motorcycle riders attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes and help stage a show of support for military groups at deployment and homecoming ceremonies. Despite a forecast of temperatures Friday in the 50 degree range, the Patriot Guard Riders are planning to escort the buses filled with troops to the Gladstone High School.

ABC 10 will have reporters at both Sawyer International Airport and the “Welcome Home” event and will bring you both stories at 5:30 on ABC 10 News Now with Cynthia Thompson.