FRESNO — Deputies from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office were among a contingent of well wishers greeting Army Specialist Ella Campbell at Fresno Yosemite International Airport as she returned home Thursday night from a tour of duty in Afghanistan.
SPC Campbell is from Coarsegold and previously attended school at Yosemite High.
“It was a privilege to help welcome you home SPC Campbell,” said a post on MCSO’s Facebook page. “We thank you for your service to our country, and wish you all the best.”
Saturday (Feb. 29) in Doha, Qatar, U.S. and Taliban officials are set to sign an agreement to end America’s longest-running war, which began in October 2001 when then President George W. Bush ordered bombing raids of Taliban strongholds following the September 11 terror attacks.
U.S. troops are to be drawn down to 8,600 from about 13,000 in the weeks following Saturday’s signing, according to a report from the Associated Press.
Further troop draw downs reportedly will depend on the Taliban meeting certain counter-terrorism conditions, compliance that will be assessed by the United States. But officials say more soldiers like Army Specialist Ella Campbell will be coming home soon.