Friends and family members gathered at the San Mateo National Guard armory Friday morning to welcome home more than 60 soldiers returning from Iraq.
The 297th Medical Company was the final California National Guard unit to return from Iraq, in keeping with the president's orders of complete withdrawal of U.S. troops before the year's end.
During their deployment, the 297th unit was responsible for providing regular medical and dental care for coalition personnel at various outposts throughout the country.
The company also worked alongside Iraqi military medical elements to conduct numerous simulated mass-casualty exercises that prepared them to stand on their own.
