Waynesville NC Welcomes National Guard's 211th Returning from Afghanistan

October 19, 3 PM - The Clyde NC based National Guard's 211th Military Police Company returns home from their final tour in Afghanistan. The parade celebrating their return will begin at 3 PM in downtown Waynesville NC.  Staging will take place on Academy Street by First Baptist Church and then proceed down Main Street to the County Courthouse for a ceremony on the lawn which will conclude at 4:30 PM.

North Carolina National Guard's 211th Military Police Company’s was mobilized in September of 2013 with more than 120 soldiers deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Their mission was to conduct facility security operations at one of the major military bases there.

The unit deployed for approximately one year following training at Fort Bliss, Texas, before going to Afghanistan. This will be the unit's second deployment to Afghanistan since 2002. The 211th has been deployed previously in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990 and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

Domestically, the 211th MP's assisted in disaster relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and most recently supported the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte in 2012. The MPs have received a Meritorious Unit Citation and the North Carolina Governor's Unit Citation for outstanding performance.

“No matter what, the Mountain Horses are always ready,” said the unit’s commander, Army Capt. David Parks.

*information provided by the NC DPS.