LUMBERTON — Soldiers with the N.C. Army National Guard’s 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team returned to the Lumberton Armory on Thursday.

A happy contingent of family and friends gathered at the Fayetteville Road Armory to welcome the more than 80 troops.

The Guardsmen are part of the 30th HBCT’s nearly 4,000 soldiers, who are returning to North Carolina after a nine-month deployment to Iraq.

The soldiers arrived at Ft. Stewart, Ga., about a week ago and underwent the demobilization process, which includes medical screening, administrative out processing and initial reintegration training. The process takes about a week, but can last longer to address any concerns soldiers may have regarding their time on active duty.

The 30th began training in December 2008 and deployed overseas in April 2009.

During their deployment, the 30th conducted a wide range of missions: They trained Iraqi police and Army Forces, assisted in civil projects like schools and infrastructure improvements, and conducted joint combat operations with Iraqi Security Forces.

The 30th suffered 29 wounded in action and seven killed in action. Five of those killed were N.C. National Guard soldiers.

Also on Thursday, about 30 soldiers returned to the armory in Whiteville. Over the next several weeks there will be a continuous flow of soldiers returning to armories around the state.