A detachment of 110 Marine Reservists arrived home in Iowa early this (Thursday) morning after a six-month tour of duty in Iraq. Members of C-Battery, First Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment returned with no deaths and no injuries.

In the midst of the homecoming celebration at the Waterloo Regional Airport, Lance Corporal Tyler Richardson says he was proud to serve but was also relieved to be back on Iowa soil. Richardson says “Just with the guys, doing what you’re supposed to do, doing what you can for your country. There was times that we got nervous, but it never really got too bad. It’s great to be home, that’s all I can say.”

Richardson’s father, Ray, is a retired Marine who served in Operation Desert Storm. The unit that just returned to Waterloo provided security at U.S. military camps and detention centers for Iraqi prisoners.