It's become a familiar site here in the panhandle - service members returning home from overseas duty, their loved ones waiting to welcome them with open arms and smiles.

The scene played out once again this morning when about 200 troops returned to Hurlbert Field. Most of the tears shed were tears of happiness.

Loved ones gathered together at Hurlburt Field anxiously awaiting the moment they could wrap their arms around their American hero.

Children filled the holding area skipping and playing as adults eagerly looked on.

Cheers erupted when the plane touched down and emotions were at an all time high. One by one, the soldiers walked off the airplane and onto the red carpet that would lead them into the arms of their family.

Chief John Desalle, Air Force soldier, said, "It's great to be back and uh, in his home town, yeah, in my home town. How's that?"

Jullianna and Jillian are pros when it comes to welcoming their dad home. They say he's deployed every year.

"He missed my birthday and he missed his birthday, and sometimes every year he misses her birthday."

Samantha Lacuesta can relate to that. Her husband arrived today, just in time for her to deploy in a week.

"I'd rather get to see him one day before I go than not see him at all."

Many of these airmen and women will be deployed again, but for now there's relief as these happy families hold on to their soldiers and plan for the next step. They all seem to have the same opinion as Julianna and Jillian.

The returning soldiers serve a variety of units, all of which are stationed at Hurlbert Field.