The members of a Kenosha-based National Guard unit will wait one more day to see their loved ones again after 10 months in Iraq.

Company B of the Wisconsin National Guard’s 257th Brigade Support Battalion, based in Kenosha, was scheduled to arrive at Volk Field in Camp Douglas on Friday morning after being deployed last February and serving in Iraq for 10 months.

Mechanical problems on the plane scheduled to leave from Kuwait Thursday night caused the flight to be cancelled, Army National Guard Lt. Col. Jackie Guthrie said. A new plane was being brought to Kuwait and was set to leave Kuwait Friday night and arrive at Volk Field today.

The Kenosha-based unit was originally expected to arrive Thursday afternoon in Wisconsin, but mechanical issues pushed back that flight as well.

Stuck in Kuwait

Several scheduled return flights for Wisconsin soldiers have been cancelled or delayed, something Charles and Helen Morenz can relate to. The Kenosha residents have waited for the return of their son, Spc. Nathanael Morenz, as part of a company based out of Reedsburg for the better part of this week.

Nathanael has been scheduled to return from Iraq since Wednesday, but has seen several flight cancellations. His parents have rearranged their schedules a few times this week only to find out Nathanael is still not headed back yet.Nathanael Morenz was serving in Iraq with Troop C of the 1st Squadron, 105th Calvary out of Reedsburg. As part of the return of thousands of Wisconsin National Guard troops, Morenz’s unit was scheduled to arrive back in Wisconsin on Wednesday.

Charles received a call from the National Guard on Tuesday night that a mechanical problem only allowed half of Nathanael’s unit to depart Kuwait. Nathanael was one of about 55 members of Troop C still waiting to leave the post-customs checkpoint area of their departure site on Tuesday night.

Nathanael was then scheduled to return Thursday. Mechanical problems once again arose and Nathanael was then rescheduled to arrive Friday, which was also cancelled due to mechanical problems.

“After four days it becomes difficult to deal with,” Charles said.

Through calls from Nathanael and word from Volk Field, the flight departed on Friday and should arrive in Wisconsin later today. Charles Morenz contacted U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan’s office and others about the situation, which Charles believes helped bring about the final return of the unit.

The homecoming the Morenz family has been waiting for over the last year is now ready to finally happen.

“It’s gone from disappointment and anxiety and frustration over the delays to a relaxed excitement,” Morenz said. “It’s good to know he’s finally on his way. Lord willing, after almost a year in Iraq, he will be home safe again.”

Sign of support

E-6 Josh Santiago also is wrapping up his tour of duty in Iraq. His stepmother, Lisa Fox, already has quite the welcome ready for Josh and his fellow troops.

Fox had placed a billboard on I-94 welcoming Josh and other area troops home after Josh’s previous deployment several years ago. This time, Fox contacted Adams Outdoor Advertising about putting a billboard up on 52nd Street at 47th Avenue.

“We want them to know that the city of Kenosha appreciated them and what they did when they were in Iraq,” Fox said.

She also wanted to remind area residents about what Josh and thousands of others have been through overseas.

“I heard a lot of what was thought of the people who fought in Vietnam and I don’t want (those serving in Iraq) to have a bad reputation, too,” Fox said. “I want them to know that they are appreciated.”

Fox received assistance and donations from friends and relatives to make the billboard, which was installed Friday, possible.

Fox also has been gathering yellow ribbons from florists around town in an effort to blanket poles and posts around the city.

Fox said she and her husband, Lee, were among those eagerly awaiting the return of Kenosha’s National Guard troops.

“We’re very anxious for Josh to come home,” Fox said.

The Kenosha-based battalion was deployed in February 2009 and has spent the last 10 months in Iraq. The unit departed with 128 people. Soldiers will go through about five days of demobilization after their return to the United States.