200 Fort Carson Soliders Return Home

Families welcomed home 200 soldiers to the Mountain Post early Thursday morning. The soldiers arrived on time at 4:45 a.m.

They are with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division and deployed to Afghanistan in May and June 2011.

Miranda Keatts was one of the soldiers’ wives in the Special Events Center waiting anxiously for her husband to return. She said she couldn’t sleep Wednesday night.

She held her 18-month-old daughter, Allysa, and the sign they made for Spc. Keatts, anxiously.

Keatts said she most looks forward to being a family again and moving into a new house together.

Many soldiers and their families shared the same sentiment. They said the little joys are what they miss most.

Spc. Lucas Ross reunited with his 1-year-old daughter, Lyla. He said he is most excited to be a family again.

“It’s surreal,” said Ross. “It’s been a long time, and it definitely feels good.”

The soldiers worked closely with the Afghan National Army while deployed. They were in Afghanistan’s western province of Herat. The soldiers were responsible for humanitarian aid projects, patrols and combat outpost defense.