A Louisville-based National Guard Unit is back home after three months on duty in Iraq. Members of the 198th Military Police Battalion were welcomed back in a Wednesday morning ceremony at the Beuchel Army National Guard Armory.Their return is part of the final drawdown of troops ordered by President Obama last month. Sergeant Robert Ayers says it was welcome news."It was a positive attitude...it’s been a constant battle over there--war---and it’s a great feeling to know that all the soldiers are coming home," Ayers said. The nearly 50 members of Ayers’ unit provided base security and military police support for various operations in Iraq. About 1,400 Kentucky National Guard members are expected to return stateside in the coming months.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.