FT. CAMPBELL, Ky. -
Soldiers serving in Afghanistan received a warm welcome in Ft. Campbell Wednesday morning.
More than 180 soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division Strike Brigade landed at the unit base just before 2 a.m.
The soldiers returned after a nine month deployment in eastern Afghanistan.
They were originally scheduled to arrive in January, but a change of plans brought them home early, just in time for the holidays.
Darlene Rose couldn't be prouder. Her daughter, Sgt. Stephanie Bates, was promoted during her deployment.
Karen Geddes' grandson returned home. "[It's the] best Christmas present, all rolled into one," she told News 2.
"You're just afraid you're never going to see them again," added Debra Threadgrill, whose son is now home, "that's the hardest part."
While in Afghanistan, the soldiers' mission was to train Afghani military and police.
