Approximately 30 local heroes from the Louisiana National Guard’s 236th Combat Communications Squadron were welcomed home by friends and family at Louis Armstrong International Airport, June 30.

Loud cheers and heartfelt embraces were given to the Airmen who all returned home safely after a six-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

“These events are very important to us,” said Maj. Harry “Chip” Trosclair Jr., 236th CBCS detachment commander. “There are a lot of happy families here, and happy families mean happy service members.”

“It was a huge surprise to see all of my family here,” said Senior Airman Steven D. Bordelon. “It just feels so good to receive such a big, warm welcome.”

While deployed, the unit was part of the 838th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group. They utilized their expertise and versatility in the tactical communications arena to provide voice and data services to a variety of customers in the Afghanistan Theater of Operations.

“We worked with about 50 active duty Airmen, and everyone meshed together seamlessly,” said Lt. Col. Timothy Jeandron, deployment commander. “It was an outstanding deployment.”