Md. National Guardsmen Return Home From Afghanistan

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Welcome home! Thirty members of the Maryland Air National Guards 135th Airlift are back home after being deployed in Afghanistan. Rochelle Ritchie was there for the welcome home ceremony.

The airmen returned Monday afternoon after spending 90 days in Afghanistan. Now they're celebrating and spending some much needed time with family.

For Stephanie Wright, her two children and one on the way, it's a day they've anticipated for a long time waiting for Daddy to return.

"It's been hard not having him around. It's hard on the kids, not seeing Daddy and so we've been able to Skype once a week but it's not the same, not having him around to help with the kids and household chores," Wright said.

Her husband deployed three months ago. At the time, their one-year-old son Tyler was still crawling. Monday, Tyler had a surprise for his dad.

"Yeah, we're hoping he'll take a walk over to Daddy and show him his new moves," Wright said.

Her husband is one of 30 men and women to return from Afghanistan after a 90-day deployment. Monday, they landed at the Warfield National Base at exactly 1400 hours. The airmen deplaned to a sea of flags, balloons, hugs and plenty of kisses.

The Maryland Air National Guard's 135th airlift mission was to deliver cargo and other supplies for the Army. It's the first time a flying squadron has been under Army command and helped keep ground troops out of harm's way.

Wright says he is happy he is home to be around his children and home for the birth of his third.

"It's the best part of the trip," he said.

Their baby is due in August.