Marine air groups return

CHERRY POINT — About 120 Marines from Marine Aircraft Group 40 returned from a year-long deployment to Afghanistan around 3 a.m. Tuesday.

The MAG-40 is a composite of aviation squadrons from Cherry Point, New River and Beaufort, S.C., created to deploy as the aviation combat element for the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

These Marines served throughout Afghanistan, primarily in Kandahar and Helmand provinces. Marines will be returning from units including Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2, Marine Aircraft Group 14, Marine Aircraft Group 28, Marine Air Support Squadron 1, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 29, and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 3.