COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- About 150 soldiers from a South Carolina Army National Guard unit are returning home after eight months providing security for U.S. engineers and medical personnel in Afghanistan.

Guard spokesman Capt. Tim Irvin says the first group from the 1st Battalion, 178th Field Artillery, based in Georgetown, should return early Friday morning to the Columbia airport. Others in the 800-soldier unit were to return over the coming days.

The soldiers made a stop at an Army base in Indiana to complete paper work and medical screenings before wrapping up their active duty mission.

Army officials say some members of the group have completed two tours in Afghanistan.

They were posted near Kabul and provided security for members of a provincial reconstruction team.

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