Local soldiers return from Afghanistan

LATHAM, NY (AP) - New York military officials say 500 Army National Guard soldiers have returned from Afghanistan to a post in Mississippi where they'll demobilize.

The guard says it will be a couple of weeks before the soldiers return to New York from Camp Shelby.

They're from the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment headquartered in Utica and Buffalo-based Company C of the 427th Brigade Support Battalion, units sent to provide security at bases in Afghanistan.

The guard mobilized 1,800 soldiers from 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in January for deployment to Afghanistan and Kuwait.

Geneseo-based Company A of the 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry was sent to Kuwait and is expected to return this fall.