The homecoming for the "Dark Horse Battalion"

MILITARY: First large wave of battle-scarred Marine unit arrives home
CAMP PENDLETON'S 3RD BATTALION, 5TH MARINE REGIMENT SAW 25 OF ITS TROOPS KILLED, MORE THAN 140 WOUNDED
By MARK WALKER - mlwalker@nctimes.com
Posted: Monday, April 11, 2011
About 250 troops from a Camp Pendleton infantry unit that suffered 25 killed and more than 140 wounded in Afghanistan arrived home to thunderous cheers Monday evening.

It was a bittersweet moment for the men from the base's 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, who were met by hundreds of loved ones and fellow Marines.

The battalion had more casualties during its nearly eight-month deployment than any other similar Marine unit in the 10-year-old war.

"It's tough seeing so many of your friends go down," 21-year-old Lance Cpl. Travis Broussard said moments after climbing off a bus and ending his first combat tour. "There were a lot of long days and long nights, but it's great being home."

The homecoming for the "Dark Horse Battalion" has been among the most anticipated at Camp Pendleton in years.

The 950-member infantry troops were engaged in heavy fighting in the Sangin District of the Helmand province from the time they arrived at the end of the summer until they departed.

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First large wave of battle-scarred Marine unit arrives home