MASON CITY --- Mason City's National Guard unit is expected to return home from the Middle East some time in the last week of October.

According to Major Mike Wunn, the 110 soldiers of the 1133rd Transportation Co., will be sent to Fort McCoy, Wis., for "out-processing" before being released for their return.

No date for a welcome home ceremony has been set, he said. The day will most likely be announced two to three days ahead of the event, Wunn added.

Sharon Egbert, whose son, Will, serves with the company, said the celebration will be held at the North Iowa Fairgrounds.

"That much we know," she said. "But as far as a date - nothing yet."

The 1133rd was combined with the 1168th Transportation Co., based in Red Oak, to form the 3368th Transportation Co. for deployment in December 2008, to Kuwait.

The "super company" was responsible for the shipment of supplies along routes in Kuwait and Iraq, said Wunn. The company has been stationed at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait.

For families, Egbert said, the return will end a long 10 months.

"It's harder toward the end, but we know it's coming and people are getting excited," she said. "At the same time, you don't want to get your hopes up, in case something changes."