STAFF PHOTO GALLERY: Soldiers return to Columbia

August 25, 2012 | 8:16 p.m. CDT

Hundreds of friends and family members welcomed member of the 175th Military Police Battalion home after a year of deployment in Qatar on Saturday at Columbia College.

First Lt. Jacob Condon kisses his wife, Heather, while he holds his 5-month-old daughter, Olivia, on Saturday at Columbia College. Condon arrived home with the 175th Military Police Battalion, which is headquartered in Columbia, after a year's deployment in Qatar. | Zac Boesch

Hundreds of family members and friends greeted the 175th Military Police Battalion on Saturday at Columbia College. The crowd also included the Patriot Guard, which escorted the group from Kingdom City. | Zac Boesch

Sgt. Tammie Betsinger receives a group hug from family members on Saturday at Columbia College. | Zac Boesch

Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer thanked the soldiers for their service during a service at Columbia College Saturday. | Zac Boesch

The 175th Military Police Battalion returned home from Qatar on Saturday at Columbia College. Maj. Gen. Stephan Danner of the Missouri National Guard told the battalion that its mission is not yet complete, and the soldiers need to complete certain programs to help in their transition back to society. | Zac Boesch