(Columbia) Feb. 18, 2005 - A group of 25 firefighters is home after serving a year in Iraq. Ten men from the 268th Firefighters Unit of the South Carolina National Guard came home to a patriotic welcome Thursday.

In Iraq the soldiers, based at home out of McCrady Training Center, responded to plane crashes, hazardous materials and vehicle fires. The dangerous mission finally came to an end with the happy reunions with wives and children.

Megan Ploth, whose father returned, says, "I was very happy he was home, and I can't wait to get back home with him."

The soldiers in the group faced rocket and mortar attacks in Iraq, earning their commander the Purple Heart.

The 3rd Battalion of the 178th Field Artillery unit, based out of Lancaster, arrived at Fort Stewart, Georgia, on Thursday night. After attending a homecoming party in Lancaster, the 350 soldiers will spend the next seven days at Fort Stewart.

Fifty Guardsmen deployed in Operation Noble Eagle to Fort Bragg, North Carolina will return to McEntire Air National Guard Station. The lst Company of the 126th Aviation Division is expected in town Saturday.

The 1052nd Transportation Company out of Kingstree should arrive at Fort Jackson in the next few days.

Updated 9:50m by BrettWitt