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The team of Carson-Newman University students and faculty that was stranded in Israel when the U.S. and Israel launched an attack on Iran last Saturday has completed the first leg on their journey home.

An official with the university confirmed that five students, two faculty members and two chaperones were part of a dig team in the country from the archeology program at Carson-Newman.

“The Carson-Newman team of students and faculty has departed Jerusalem and is now in Egypt,” CNU Director of Marketing and Communications Charles Key said in a statement released to the Citizen Tribune. “Plans continue to be fluid as to their specific arrangements.”

Key hailed the demeanor of the travelling students and faculty, and said the prayers and support of the greater Carson-Newman family is appreciated.

“(Our students) have been remarkable through this entire process and our faculty and chaperones who continue to navigate this difficult situation,” he said. “We are grateful the first major step in their return to the United States is complete and we remain focused on the logistics that remain to make that happen.

“We are grateful as well for the incredible support from the Carson-Newman family and the public in general and the prayers that already have been answered. We ask for continued prayers both for our team and the thousands of others affected by this situation.”

One family member of one of the participants in the trip said they were pleased with the response of the University. The initial salvo from the U.S. happened overnight and they woke up to a message from the University to keep them informed of the situation.

In particular, the family member said they were grateful for the responsiveness from Carson-Newman President Charles Fowler.

“My understanding is once things started to happen, the university started to make plans right then and there to get them out,” they said. “I mean, (the group in Israel) was scared, obviously, but it helped knowing that you have someone back home kind of helping them through it.”

They said adrenaline was still running high and were hopeful the group will be headed some as soon as possible.

“I think everyone knows that they’re very stressed. They know they’re safe now, but that fight or flight (feeling) isn’t going to be done until they’re home.”