Oklahoma Airmen Return Home From Afghanistan Deployment

Several Oklahoma airmen serving in Afghanistan are back on sooner soil Monday night.

Troops who offered support to the 45th Infantry arrived home at Will Roger's World Airport. Many of them say the military told them there was a chance they would not be home for the holidays, but as you can see, they were greeted by family and friends with signs and hugs as they walked off the plane.

Soldiers and their families say it's good to have them home for the holidays.

"Basically just happy to make it home before Christmas, come back from Afghanistan, been gone since July," Oklahoma soldier Larry Mansell said.

"It's the best gift ever. To have your husband home. No other present's needed. Just him home safe," Deanne Mansell said.

Many of the soldiers were deployed for six months.