SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. -- About 50 Security Forces Airmen from the Michigan Air National Guard returned home on Sunday, following a six month deployment to southwest Asia. The Airmen were assigned to a variety of duties while deploying, primarily serving as part of the security force at an air base in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

About half of the Airmen are assigned to the 127th Security Forces Squadron at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in suburban Detroit. The other half of the group are members of the 110th Security Forces Squadron at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base.

In addition to their primary assignment, several of the Security Airmen were assigned to temporary duty in Afghanistan and other locations in support of operations there.

This most recent deployment presented an opportunity for the state's two Security Forces Squadrons to provide a strong Michigan presence to support the Air Force mission.

"Our two wings, and our other Michigan Air National Guard assets around the state, offer a highly-trained, flexible and capable force to support a variety of missions, locally and abroad," said Brig. Gen. Leonard Isabelle, Jr., commander of the Michigan Air National Guard. "Our SFS Airman have now safely returned home and have earned our heartfelt thanks and praise for a job well done."

One Airman returned several days early from the deployment. Senior Airman Brian Zorn, part of the Selfridge contingent, was allowed to return home about a week ahead of the originally planned schedule to witness the birth of his first child. He made it home with less than 24 hours to spare before the birth - which was actually a few days after his daughter's original due date.

"The 127th SFS team is like a family, made up of Airmen who not only work to protect our base, but who also look out for and care for one another," said Capt. Christopher Platz, 127 SFS commander. "We are rightfully proud of the mission that they accomplished in this deployment."

Prior to this deployment, Security Forces Airmen from Selfridge most recently deployed as a group to Iraq for six months in 2009-2010. Individuals and small groups of 127 SFS Airmen have deployed to other locations since that time.

More than 500 Michigan ANG Airmen served on some type of deployment away from home station in 2013.

Comprised of approximately 1,700 personnel and flying both the A-10 Thunderbolt II and the KC-135 Stratotanker, the 127th Wing supports Air Mobility Command, Air Combat Command and Air Force Special Operation Command by providing highly-skilled Airmen to missions domestically and overseas. The 127th Wing is the host unit at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, which marks its 97th year of continuous military air operations in 2014.

The Michigan Air National Guard, headquartered in Lansing, Mich., is comprised of the 127th Wing based at Selfridge Air National Guard Base and the 110th Wing, based at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base. In addition, the Michigan ANG operates the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center and the Grayling Aerial Gunnery Range in northern Michigan. About 3,000 Citizen-Airmen serve in the Michigan ANG.