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EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A young boy waits patiently for his dad to arrive during Operation Homecoming here, Dec. 9. Operation Homecoming gives friends and family the opportunity to greet loved ones who are returning from deployment as they depart the plane. (U.S. Air Force photo /Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)

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EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Anna-Grace and Hayden Brammer spot their dad, Tech. Sgt. Jerry Brammer, and wave excitedly during Operation Homecoming, Dec. 9. Operation Homecoming gives friends and family the opportunity to greet loved ones who are returning from deployment as they depart the plane. (U.S. Air Force photo /Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)

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EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Michelle Peck and her two children, Maddeline and Jesse, search through the many faces for their dad, Lt. Col Jon Peck, 18th Flight Test Squadron commander, as Airmen step off the aircraft and walk into the hangar during Operation Homecoming, Dec. 9. (U.S. Air Force photo /Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)

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EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Lt. Col Jon Peck, 18th Flight Test Squadron commander, hugs and kisses his wife Michelle after returning home from a lengthy deployment, Dec. 9. (U.S. Air Force photo /Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)

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EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Airman 1st Class Frank Bender, 1st Special Operations Equipment Maintenance Squadron, embraces his daughter and wife during Operation Homecoming, Dec. 9. As the first Airman stepped down the stairs from the plane onto the tarmac, the aircraft hangar where friends and families anxiously waited came alive with cheers and tears. In a matter of minutes, more than 200 Airmen were reunited with their loved ones. (U.S. Air Force photo /Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)