Soldiers Return Home After Year In Afghanistan

WATERFORD (WWJ) - One hundred and seventy members of the Michigan National Guard are back home after a year training Afghan's national police force and capturing some members of the Taliban.

Specialist Christopher Dillenbeck of St. Clair Shores, says he's very glad to be home to his wife and cats.

"(I missed her) tons, tons," said Dillenbeck.

Dillenbeck says he and his wife plan to go on a late honeymoon and then he'll return to work with an internet company. He's fortunate since 45% of the 17-75th Military Police Company don't have jobs.

"I'm really glad to be home, it's the greatest feeling in the world," said Michigan National Guard Specialist Jesse Jones.

Jones of Gibraltor is returning home to Michigan after a year in Afghanistan. He's one of 170 members of the Pontiac based 17-75th Military Police Company.

It was Jones' first deployment away from his wife and little girl.

"It's pretty hard, one of the hardest things I went through, but we started together and that made it a lot easier, you know, calling each other every night as much as possible," said Jones.

The unit helped train Afghan's national Police Force and did catch some members of the Taliban.