Georgia National Guard soldiers return - Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

Georgia Army National Guard soldiers came back home Thursday from a year-long overseas deployment.

The soldiers, who spent the last year in northern Kosovo, reunited with their families in Ellenwood.

The nearly 170 soldiers who returned to the Georgia Army National Guard's Oglethorpe Armory on Thursday were part of a larger group of about 300, all whom have now returned to the United States.

The soldiers helped to promote security as part of the 108th Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Targeting and Acquisition Squadron. The soldiers performed over 500 mission including removing roadblocks and reopening a major boundary crossing.

The soldiers will get a 30-day leave before returning to their civilian lives.

Spc. Brian Lorch quickly made official an earlier long-distance proposal to his fiancée, Sarah Smith.

"He got down on one knee…I said yes," said Smith.

Georgia Army National Guard soldiers came back home Thursday from a year-long overseas deployment.

The soldiers, who spent the last year in northern Kosovo, reunited with their families in Ellenwood.

The nearly 170 soldiers who returned to the Georgia Army National Guard's Oglethorpe Armory on Thursday were part of a larger group of about 300, all whom have now returned to the United States.

The soldiers helped to promote security as part of the 108th Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Targeting and Acquisition Squadron. The soldiers performed over 500 mission including removing roadblocks and reopening a major boundary crossing.

The soldiers will get a 30-day leave before returning to their civilian lives.

"It's great to be home. It's been a long year for the families and for the soldiers and we're certainly glad we're able to get them back home with their families," said Georgia Army National Guard Lt. Col. Joseph Lynch.

Spc. Brian Lorch quickly made official an earlier long-distance proposal to his fiancée, Sarah Smith.

"He got down on one knee…I said yes," said Smith.

A spokesperson for the guard units says they have no further deployments scheduled as of their return. The Georgia National Guard says the returning soldiers will receive job placement and financial counseling to help their return to civilian life.