More than 2,000 soldiers with Oklahoma's 45th Infantry Brigade have been on a nine-month tour of duty in Afghanistan. Two other battalions were deployed to Kuwait to help support operations in Iraq.

The Oklahoma Army National Guard troops have been returning home in recent weeks. They performed a "full spectrum" of duties, according to military officials.

Those duties included working with the local population in nation-building efforts, helping to train the Afghan national army and also conducting combat operations.

Fourteen Oklahoma Guard members died while overseas. Killed were:

* Second Lt. Jered W. Ewy, 33, of Edmond, on June 29
* Spc. Augustus J. Vicari, 22, of Broken Arrow, on July 29
* Staff Sgt. Kirk Avery Owen, 37, of Sapulpa, on Aug. 2
* Sgt. Anthony Del Mar Peterson, 24, of Chelsea, on Aug. 4
* Second Lt. Joe L. Cunningham, 27, of Kingston, on Aug. 13
* Lt. Damon Leehan, 30, of Moore, on Aug. 14
* Spc. Joshua Michael Seals, 21, of Porter, on Aug. 16
* Pfc. Tony J. Potter Jr., 20, of Okmulgee, on Sept. 9
* Spc. Christopher D. Horton, 26, of Collinsville, on Sept. 9
* Sgt. Bret D. Isenhower, 26, of Lamar, on Sept. 9
* Sgt. Mycal L. Prince, 28, of Minco, on Sept. 15
* Spc. Francisco J. Briseno-Alvarez Jr., 27, of Oklahoma City, on Sept. 25
* Pfc. Sarina Butcher, 19, of Checotah, on Nov. 1
* Spc. Chris Gailey, 26, of Ochelata, on Nov. 1
Headlines
285 Oklahoma National Guard soldiers recover across the country 285 Oklahoma National Guard soldiers recover across the country   6/7/2012

About 285 Oklahoma National Guard soldiers have yet to return to Oklahoma as they recover from wounds received during their recent deployment.
45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team welcomes new commander 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team welcomes new commander   6/4/2012

The Oklahoma National Guard's 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team passed the brigade flag to its new commander Sunday.
Fallen soldier's family urges support for those still deployed Fallen soldier's family urges support for those still deployed   9/21/2011

Relatives of a Collinsville soldier whose body was returned Tuesday to Tulsa from Afghanistan, where he was killed, said they want people to continue to support other soldiers still in harm's way.
Hundreds honor those killed during Memorial Day ceremony at Oklahoma's 45th Infantry Division Museum Hundreds honor those killed during Memorial Day ceremony at Oklahoma's 45th Infantry Division Museum   5/29/2012

It has been eight months since Army Pfc. Tony Potter Jr. was killed in Afghanistan, and the pain his family feels has yet to subside.
A different world awaits soldiers returning home A different world awaits soldiers returning home   5/28/2012

Spc. Nash Lindley is a different man from the one Courtney Lindley married in 2009. And she's a different woman.
Oklahoma National Guard sets Memorial Day ceremony   5/28/2012

The Oklahoma National Guard will host its annual Memorial Day ceremony at the 45th Infantry Division Museum in Oklahoma City.
Three returning Oklahoma soldiers have civilian jobs in common Three returning Oklahoma soldiers have civilian jobs in common   5/16/2012

Sheri Dent knew at least the mechanics of what her husband, Staff Sgt. Chris Dent, was doing during his recent deployment to Afghanistan.
Troops’ service honored Troops’ service honored   4/11/2012

The 45th InfantryDivision and the Oklahoma National Guardwere recognized Tuesday during a jointlegislative session in the state House of Representativeschamber.
Hundreds welcome returning Oklahoma National Guard soldiers Hundreds welcome returning Oklahoma National Guard soldiers   4/8/2012

Every time Brenda Teehee saw one of the Oklahoma National Guard homecomings over the past several weeks, she knew her daughter was still overseas.
Muskogee soldier returns to his wife on first anniversary after deployment with Oklahoma's 45th Muskogee soldier returns to his wife on first anniversary after deployment with Oklahoma's 45th   4/6/2012

A year ago Thursday, Spc. Joshua and Kaylynn Tootill were married in Muskogee while Joshua was on leave from preparing for a deployment with the Oklahoma National Guard.
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Contact the troops

Follow the Oklahoma National Guard's 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team at its facebook page.

For more on the Oklahoma National Guard, go to tulsaworld.com/oknationalguard or call 405-228-5000.

Contact the Tulsa World military affairs reporter:
JERRY WOFFORD, 918-581-8310 or jerry.wofford@tulsaworld.com




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