Georgia Army Guard Spc. Steven Harrelson of Rincon and a fire direction control technician for Springfield’s A Battery 1/118 Field Artillery, talks about his experiences in Afghanistan with radio host Bill Edwards of Savannah’s 1290 at the Georgia Guard Garrison Training Center.

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

Harrelson and the others then received an early morning welcome home ceremony here at Cottrell Parade Field. During his tour-of-duty, he assisted with force protection at Camp Black Horse near Kabul and for Combined Task Force Phoenix. Harrelson also helped train soldiers of the Afghan army’s 2nd Brigade.

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. Harrelson and his fellow Guardsmen will spend about a week redeploying at the training center before returning to their traditional Guard status.

In his civilian job, he’s employed a sales associate by O’Reilly Auto Parts in Rincon.

Harrelson and his fellow soldiers had flown into Hunter Army Airfield two days before 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.