The 143^rd Military Police Company, headquartered in Livingston, is back on American soil following a year-long deployment to Iraq.

The 143^rd was mobilized in November 2008. Approximately 45 soldiers from every corner of Montana spent nearly four weeks training at Fort Dix, N.J. before heading to Iraq.

Their mission was to provide security and law enforcement at Camp Victory Army Base. The company returned to the U.S. Last Saturday and must undergo a week of mental and physical health screenings, stacks of financial and personnel paperwork.   

"We've been gone for almost 12 months, and so to be a few hours from home but not be able to go home, it's an anxious time," said Terry Lewis, Belgrade Soldier.

"You know I've been with my family for the past year , which are all my soldiers. but now it's time to get back to my real family and start mending those relationships and building those relationships again," said Sgt. Kelley Ziegler, Hamilton Soldier.

This deployment marks the third time the 143^rd Military Police has been activated. Two deployments to Iraq, and they supported the security effort during Hurricane Katrina. They most likely won't face redeployment for 5 years or so.     

The unit is scheduled to arrive at Arlins Aviation in Belgrade on Saturday.