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Bismarck, N.D. (AP) The North Dakota National Guard says the first group of soldiers from the 191st Military Police Company have arrive in the U.S., after about a year in Iraq.

Guard officials say the first plane load of soldiers arrived in Fort Lewis, Wash., Monday night. The rest of the unit is at Fort Dix, N.J., and is scheduled to arrive in Fort Lewis on Tuesday.

The soldiers are expected back in North Dakota in a week.

The 191st is based in Fargo with detachments in Mayville and Bismarck. The assignments for the unit's 187 members in Iraq included training Iraqi police.

The Guard says 16 of the soldiers have decided to extend their duty up to 13 months.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 01-05-09 2316CST | save this article / add to your favorites list