A welcome home celebration for the Lucedale-based 287th Engineer Company’s return from Afghanistan has turned into the “Hog Wild Homecoming.”

City Clerk Kathy Johnson said the event for the 130-member unit and their families is March 12 at the Lucedale City Park.

Johnson says a check with the soldiers, who have been on a yearlong deployment, found they wanted barbecue.

Maj. Christian Patterson with the Mississippi National Guard said the main body of the unit is expected to return Friday.

The engineer unit’s job has been clearing roads of bombs.

Patterson says there are about 420 Mississippi National Guardsmen serving in Operation Enduring Freedom that includes Afghanistan.