INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Cheers greeted about 20 Indiana National Guard soldiers has they arrived in Indianapolis after a deployment to Iraq.

The members of the Bloomington-based unit completed their return trip on Sunday by meeting family members and friends at Indianapolis International Airport. The soldiers spent much of their time in the Basra area, where they helped Iraqi forces protect residents and rebuild infrastructure.

Maj. Tim Denby of Sellersburg said the homecoming was wonderful since it was difficult to be away from his family for months.