Soldiers scheduled to return on Wednesday

FORT DRUM — In the first of many parts, several 3rd Brigade Combat Team soldiers will return to the post this week following a yearlong deployment in Afghanistan.

About 100 soldiers will be the brigade’s torch party, or first returning group, and will be welcomed at a ceremony tentatively scheduled for Wednesday night on post. The brigade, which has approximately 3,500 soldiers, is scheduled to make its return to the area over the next six weeks.

For the past 12 months, the unit has been stationed throughout Kandahar Province. As the brigade leaves the country, it will be replaced by the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, based at Fort Bragg, N.C.

While the soldiers are expected to be ready for Wednesday evening, their arrival may be pushed back should there be concerns about weather or flight availability. When they arrive, soldiers will have a few hours to take care of in-processing activities before the ceremony.

The ceremony for the returning soldiers is tentatively scheduled for 8 p.m. Wednesday at Magrath Sports Complex.