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PHOTOS: Ft. Jackson troops leave for holidays

Published: December 20, 2012

Troops wait in the Solomon Center at Fort Jackson shortly after midnight Wednesday night before boarding busses and making their way home for Christmas holidays. 150 busses were needed to transport the troops who were on their way to the Amtrak station in Columbia or one of three airports in Columbia, Charlotte, or Atlanta. The troops are scheduled to return January fourth after spending the holidays with their families.

C MICHAEL BERGEN — mbergen@thestate.com Buy Photo

The Army's largest training installation is sending about 8,500 soldiers home for the holidays.

The troops are leaving Fort Jackson on buses, trains, aircraft and private vehicles.

Those who are in the midst of the 10 weeks of basic training, as well as the advanced individual training courses, are getting about two weeks off. The soldiers are to return on Jan. 4.

Approximately 200 soldiers stay on Fort Jackson through the holiday period. A special battalion is established to ensure the soldiers are cared for and enjoy the holidays with entertainment and specialty foods.

- The Associated Press

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