The first wave of 250 soldiers from the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Benning, returns from Kuwait on Friday.

About 2,000 soldiers with the "Sledgehammer Brigade" have been deployed since June 2012. A ceremony is set for Friday afternoon at Freedom Hall to welcome the soldiers home.

While deployed, soldiers worked with Kuwaiti land forces in joint training exercises and exchanges.