112th Returns Home - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

North Dakota men and women are reunited with their loved ones after a year long deployment.

After doing their part in making the war-torn country of Kosovo more stable, members of North Dakota's 112th Aviation Regiment are back home.

Donnell Preskey joined family and friends as they welcomed their soldier home.

After spending a year in the skies over Kosovo.

North Dakota National Guard Soldiers of the 112th Aviation Regiment return home by bus...

"Welcome home"

The soldiers are welcomed home with balloons, hugs, and cheeks to smooch...

"Showing up home, overwhelming. It's a good feeling. Realize how much you are loved. Good to be home," says Spc. Brandy Bender.

"One year serving country and coming home to the most amazing thing. America is the best country," says Cpl. Anthony Keegan.

Keegan got engaged during his deployment. His first days back home will be filled with wedding planning.

Whether it's being back in arms of the love of your life, or holding your kids.

This moment --is savored.

"Missed them everyday I was gone, Good to be home."

Lt. Col. Bill Watson lead the 55 North Dakota soldiers in Kosovo.

The 112th flew helicopter support missions for the military peacekeeping efforts.

His soldiers spent 3400 hours in the air.

"Flew soldiers, equipment, supplies," says Lt. Col. Watson.

After leading his unit for one year,

Watson's kids Daddy, Daddy.

Lt. Col. Watson now goes home to lead his own troop.

"Lets go home"

Troop Watson is rounded up and ready to go.

(Watson's son) "Bye bye!"

Home, with daddy.

5700 North Dakota National Guard soldiers and airmen have been mobilized since 2001.

Currently 100 are still serving overseas.