Preps for 1157th homecoming under way

OSHKOSH - After a nearly year-long deployment in Afghanistan troops of the 1157th are just days away from coming home.

FOX 11 has been told the soldiers will be home by the end of the week.

• Photos: 1157th returns to U.S.
• Photos: 1157th in Afghanistan

Members of the Oshkosh-based transportation company are currently at Camp Shelby in Mississippi. More than 120 were deployed last February and plans for their return are in full swing.    

"Everybody is going to be excited, all the families and loved ones will be excited, it's going to be a big event," said Staff Sgt. Anthony Helsell with the 1157th.

Banners, balloons and more will be part of the special ceremony honoring the National Guard unit's nearly year of service in Afghanistan. The event is scheduled for later this week, but even that is still up in the air.

"With everything being tentative it is a lot of extra planning and a lot of people that you have to notify that you have to follow up with so they can come and enjoy the event," said Helsell.

"We'll make it a fun, welcoming type of atmosphere so that when they come in it's really about them and that's what we want to make it is about them and their families reuniting after a long time apart," said Dick Knapinski of EAA in Oshkosh.

Even Sgt. Helsell says the returning soldiers will only have one thing on their minds when they walk in the door.

"Once the families see everybody it turns into more of a mob scenario because everybody is so excited to see everyone. It's a hard thing because it is so emotional, people have been gone for so long, families are excited and they are excited to see families," said Helsell.

A mission accomplished, now just days away.

The 1157th's mission was to transport equipment and supplies throughout Afghanistan.