HOULTON – It looks like the contingent of Aroostook County soldiers who left the state a year ago to serve in Iraq could be back in Maine by the end of next month.

Approximately 124 members of the 1st Battalion, 152nd Field Artillery Unit were called to duty last year to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The guardsmen left last January for an 18-month deployment overseas. About 40 Houlton soldiers were among them, along with men and women from Caribou and Presque Isle.

Maj. Peter Rogers, Maine Army National Guard director of public affairs, said Tuesday that he is still unsure of the exact date the soldiers will come home.

“The date depends on the air flow and a number of other factors,” he explained, “But we anticipate that they will be home in middle to late February.”

Rogers said the soldiers will be stationed in Fort Dix, N.J., briefly while they finish active duty paperwork and other military procedures.

“After that, they will be released back to us,” he said.

Although the original deployment period was scheduled to be 18 months, Rogers explained Tuesday that the number was more of a rough estimate for the unit.

“We expected them to serve 12 months in the [Iraqi] theater,” he said, “Which they have done.”

Most of the soldiers have been guarding the Abu Ghraib prison, a frequent target for insurgents.

When the soldiers left Houlton last year on New Year’s Day, townspeople showed up in force to give them a warm send-off. Hundreds converged on a ceremony at the Pleasant Street Armory to say goodbye, waving signs and sporting buttons signifying support for the troops.

Shortly after the troops’ deployment, activities began mounting to supply them with everything from toiletries to phone cards and protective helmet liners.

The total battalion consists of about 400 soldiers from Aroostook County, with the call-up taking 30 percent of the unit’s total. The battalion has batteries in Fort Kent, Caribou, Presque Isle, Houlton, Calais and Waterville.

Rogers said Tuesday he will announce the homecoming date as soon as he gets official word.

“I know that towns will want to plan celebrations,” he acknowledged. “It will be great to have them back.”