Idaho soldiers back from Afghanistan

BOISE – An estimated 250 Idaho National Guard soldiers will be returning from their deployment to Afghanistan in the coming weeks.

About 50 soldiers returned home Sunday to a mob of rain-soaked spouses, children, parents and friends at Gowen Field in Boise. The soldiers, members of the Idaho National Guard’s 1-183 Aviation Battalion, were stationed in the cities of Kandahar, Bhangra and Solerno.

Two other groups will return over the next two weekends, Idaho National Guard spokeswoman Lt. Col. Stephanie Dowling said.

The battalion has served in Afghanistan since February 2006 on a mission that included combat in Apache helicopters, troop and equipment transport, and providing medical care to soldiers and Afghans.

It was one of the largest deployments for the Idaho National Guard since 2001.

Nampa resident April Sears said this deployment was more difficult than when her husband, Chief Warrant Officer Kevyn Sears, went to Bosnia in 2002-03.

“The children were older, she said.

“The hardest part was while I’m helping them understand and deal with their emotions, I’m trying to deal with my own.”

Some 40 family members and friends were on hand to meet Sears, waving dozens of American flags and carrying colorful signs, with such slogans as “Kevyn Sears: Our Hero.”

The reunion left some soldiers, including Sears, speechless.

“All I’m good for is one-syllable words right now,” Sears said. “I’m just looking forward to spending time with my family.”