POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. — As thousands of Fort Bragg soldiers prepare for deployment in the war on terrorism, many are making their way home.

The command flag and paratroopers from Task Force Panther, 82nd Airborne Division, returned home from Afghanistan on Sunday.

The soldiers are assigned to an airborne brigade combat team (BCT) comprised primarily of elements from the 3rd Brigade (the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment). They deployed to Central Asia in a routine rotation of forces starting in July.

The task force was the first 82nd Airborne Division unit to deploy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and replaced the brigade from the 101st Air Assault Division in Central Asia.

Task Force Devil, comprised primarily of elements from the 1st Brigade (the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment), recently began deploying troops in a routine rotation of forces.

Task Force Devil will replace Task Force Panther. The task force's mission is to conduct combat operations to eliminate remaining terrorist elements, provide site security, collect and exploit intelligence, process detainees, and assist with humanitarian relief to the people in the region.