At Delaware State University on April 13, the Delaware National Guard welcomed about 300 members of the 198th Expeditionary Signal Battalion home from Afghanistan. The battalion, comprised of Headquarters Company and Company C, headquartered in Wilmington, and Company A, headquartered in Georgetown, were scheduled for a 12 month active-duty tour. Some soldiers returned five months early. The 198th, known as The First Regiment of the First State, is Delaware’s oldest unit, with citizen soldiers spending more than 200 years on active duty in 36 battles and campaigns. “I will never get tired of welcoming home our soldiers,” said Maj. Gen. Frank Vavala, adjutant general of the Delaware National Guard.
