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
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.
More than 200 Guard members welcomed back More than 200 Guard members welcomed back   4/5/2012

A group of more than 200 soldiers from the Oklahoma National Guard returned to the state Thursday, leaving one more large group to return Saturday.
Final 45th soldiers to return this week   4/5/2012

The final groups of Oklahoma National Guard soldiers due to return from Afghanistan will arrive in Oklahoma this week, guard officials announced Wednesday.
Final groups of deployed state soldiers to return home this week Final groups of deployed state soldiers to return home this week   4/4/2012

A group of about 150 soldiers from the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team will arrive about 10 a.m. Thursday to the Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma City. The last large group of soldiers is due to return to the state later this week, officials said.
180 troops from 45th Infantry Brigade return from overseas deployment 180 troops from 45th Infantry Brigade return from overseas deployment   4/1/2012

A group of 180 soldiers of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team who returned to Oklahoma on Saturday morning had members who served overseas for the first time, as well as National Guard members who expect this deployment to be their last.
State welcomes home 171 more soldiers State welcomes home 171 more soldiers   3/31/2012

At least two people were missing from the party that welcomed home Spc. Victoria Saldierna: her kids.
Humble leader guides 45th in Afghanistan Humble leader guides 45th in Afghanistan   3/30/2012

On the battlefields of Afghanistan and the streets of Tulsa, Col. Joel Ward leads with what peers call a 'humble swagger.'
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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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