VIENNA TWP., Ohio - For some men and women there were tears when loved ones left for a mission in Africa, and there were tears of happiness when they arrived home on Sunday, May 29th.
 
21 News was at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station as loved ones waited for touchdown.
 
For military families, there's anticipation as they wait to be reunited with loved ones. 
 
Ashley, Rosie and Maggie made a welcome home sign as they wait for Timothy a pilot with the 910th Airlift Wing in Vienna.
 
"We just miss him a lot so we're really excited to have him home," said Ashley.
 
Ellie and her daughter Sam are particularly excited about this homecoming for Don Loomis a Lieutenant Colonel. 
 
"This is hopefully his last deployment cos he's retiring in October, so he's been on millions of deployments," said his daughter Sam Loomis. 
 
"I miss him. Its' been four months of deployment so this is a long one for us. We're ready for him to be home," added his wife Ellie Loomis.
 
 The Men and women with the 910th Operations Group and Maintenance group were deployed to Africa.
 
"Moving troops where they need to go, taking supplies where they're needed and there is one other critical mission we perform. If there are wounded combatants we can load them on the 120, at or near the front lines, give them life-saving care in the air as we are transporting them to a hospital," emphasized the Commander of the 910th Airlift Wing in Vienna, Colonel Jeff Van Dootingh. 
 
This is truly an opportunity for all the families to gather together to welcome their loved ones after such a long deployment. We are very fortunate to have so many volunteering Airmen as part of the Air Force Reserve, added the 910th Operations Group Commander, Colonel Scott Lawson. 
 
The USO or United Service Organizations served refreshments and snacks to families.
 
And the Red Cross's Animal Visitation Team was there to help comfort the children waiting. 
 
"We come out to greet our servicemen and women as they return from deployment and kind of entertain and spend time with their families as well," said Rita McIntosh with the Red Cross Animal Visitation Team. McIntosh was there with her dog Lucy Lu and several other Red Cross volunteers. 
 
As the time for touchdown got closer families moved outside near the flight line, kids eager to get the first glimpse of their daddy.
 
Husbands or wives were happy to be reunited with their spouses.
 
Families who have missed out on holidays, birthdays and milestones have a lot of catching up to do.
 
"He's missed Easter, Valentine's Day. He's missed both of our anniversaries, so we are very excited to do all that celebrating with him," said Ashley.
 
At home they will embrace life and enjoy spending time together.