Three local soldiers who were deployed in Afghanistan since last summer returned to the United States last week. They are expected back in Maine by the end of this week.

Sgt. 1st Class Ken Solorzano of Alna, Pvt. Nick Greenleaf of Boothbay and Pvt. Mason Leighton of Boothbay, all of the Maine Army National Guard 488th Military Police Unit, arrived in Fort Bliss, Texas on June 6.

Their families had been eagerly awaiting their return and tracking their long, multi-stop journey home through texts, emails and phone calls.

Jane Solorzano said she got a surprise phone call from Solorzano the night of June 6, when the troops had finally arrived in Texas. “We’re ridiculously happy,” she said.

On June 10, Leighton’s mother, Heidi, who had received texts from Leighton that morning, said that she is both happy and relieved that the deployment has ended.

Communications Director for the Maine Adjutant General’s Office Peter Rogers said he expects the 488th will return to Bangor by the end of this week, but a certain date and time is not yet available.

“Sometimes it can slip a little bit, but for planning purposes, I would look to Saturday and expect it could slip a day in either direction,” Rogers said.  

Rogers said he will issue a press release with details of the troops’ arrival by mid-day Thursday, June 14.