Unit goes from combat in Iraq to loving arms in Va.

Unit size About 215 soldiers

Leader Lt. Col. Neal Edmonds

Location of deployment Iraq

Deployed Feb. 25

Returned Saturday

Highlights The Virginia Army National Guard's 2nd Assault Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, 91st Troop Command was one of the last military aviation units to depart Iraq as part of the U.S. withdrawal, according to a Guard spokesman.

The battalion, known as "Task Force Punisher," included more than 400 Virginia and Maryland Army National Guard Soldiers. Their mission was to conduct air assault and combat support aviation operations. About 50 soldiers from the battalion are still conducting missions in Iraq and Kuwait and are scheduled to return later this month.

The battalion flew more that 16,500 combat flight hours - an average of 15 missions per day. None of its soldiers were killed or seriously wounded in action.

Based in Sandston, the unit is made up of soldiers from all over the state, including about 50 from Hampton Roads.