Georgia Army Guard Pfc. Sean Coleman of Rincon, a cannon crew member with Springfield’s Battery A, 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery, has returned from Afghanistan, his first-ever deployment.

“I’m proud of the work we did there,” he said, “but I have to say I’m also glad to be back in Georgia.”

During his tour-of-duty, Coleman worked as a squad automatic weapon gunner aboard an up-armored Humvee protecting convoys and assisted with force protection at Camp Black Horse near Kabul for coalition forces and Combined Task Force Phoenix. He’s among the more than 2,000 members of the 48th Brigade who deployed last June in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The brigade’s yearlong mission was to mentor and train members of the Afghan army and National Police. Coleman and his fellow Guardsmen will spend about a week redeploying at the Georgia Guard Garrison Training Center next to Fort Stewart before returning to their traditional Guard status.

As a civilian, he worked as a plumber by H&H Contracting in Rincon. Coleman intends to attend Georgia Southern University in Statesboro and obtain his pharmaceutical degree.

Coleman and his fellow soldiers had flown into Hunter Army Airfield the previous day where they were greeted by Brig. Gen. Maria Britt, Georgia Army Guard commander; Lt. Col. Michael Fordham, executive officer for Georgia’s 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team; Command Sgt. Maj. James Nelson, Georgia Army Guard command sergeant major. The soldiers then received a welcome home ceremony here at Cottrell Field.