About 120 soldiers from the Connecticut National Guard 143rd Military Police Company returned to Connecticut Wednesday, June 5, 2013, from Afghanistan. A send-off ceremony for the unit was held in July 2012. In Afghanistan, the military police worked alongside the Afghan Uniformed Police to ensure law and order, provide maneuver and mobility support and area security, and gather intelligence. Capt. James Locke of Manchester commands the unit. The unit previously deployed to Iraq from 2003 to 2004. More than 450 Connecticut soldiers and airmen are currently mobilized and deployed in support of the operations in Afghanistan.

1. Sgt. Kenneth Ramey waves to the crowd cheering for members of the Connecticut National Guard's
143rd Military Police Company, based out of West Hartford,. The company arrived home Wednesday,
June 5, 2013, to the Air National Guard base at Bradley Field following a deployment to Afghanistan.
Photo/Kathleen Schassler/West Hartford News

2. Members of the Connecticut National Guard's 143rd Military Police Company return home from Afghanistan on June
5, 2013. The company, based out of West Hartford, arrived at the Air National Guard base in East Granby.
Photo Kathleen Schassler/West Hartford News

3. The Connecticut National Guard's 143rd Military Police Company returned home Wednesday, June 5, 2013.
Photo Kathleen Schassler/West Hartford News

4. Maj. Gen. Thaddeus J. Martin, Adjutant General and Commander of the Connecticut National Guard, welcomed
home the 120 soldiers of the 143rd Military Police Company (MP) of West Hartford on June 5, 2013.
Photo Kathleen Schassler/West Hartford News

5. Family and friends cheer as the second of two aircraft carrying members of the Connecticut National Guard's
143rd Military Police Company, based out of West Hartford, arrive Wednesday, June 5, 2013, at the Air National
Guard base at Bradley Field in East Granby following a deployment to Afghanistan.

6. Photo Kathleen Schassler/West Hartford News

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9. Photo Kathleen Schassler/West Hartford News

10. Photo Kathleen Schassler/West Hartford News

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17. Photo Kathleen Schassler/West Hartford News