SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) _ A northern Indiana mayor who has been serving as a lieutenant in the Naval Reserve in Afghanistan since April is headed back home.

The South Bend Tribune reports South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg has begun the demobilization process before his final return to South Bend. Spokeswoman Kara Kelly says the exact date of his return isn't known, but he is expected to be back in office in early October.

He had been working as an intelligence officer. Former city controller Mark Neal has been serving as deputy mayor.