Avionics Technician Brian Rosetta kisses wife Jennifer after returning to Hawai'i today from duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

"We provided intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support. We also provided direct support to those guys on the ground, troops in contact," said squadron Executive Officer Cmdr. Perry Yaw. "We're their eyes in the sky. We're looking for them, and talking to them."

For hundreds of families waiting impatiently today at the Marine Corps base at Kane'ohe Bay, the most important thing was that loved ones were home.

Emily Milone, 22, could barely stand the wait for her fianceé, Aviation Electrician 2 Jeremy Anelli, as she scanned the crew members streaming off the chartered Omni Air International DC-10.

In one hand was a handful of balloons, in the other was a box of tissues, and on a leash was Dakota, the couple's huge pit bull, who was a little more patient.

After a long hug and a few more tears of joy on Milone's part, Anelli said the deployment was an experience.

"A little unnerving at times, but definitely an experience," the 24-year-old said. "Glad I could be a part of it."

Christie Corley waited with her daughters Amy, 14, and Bailey, 6, for the return of their father, Aviation Ordnance Chief Mike Corley, 36.

The return of her husband in time for Christmas "is a big deal. It's a great big deal."

"He missed two birthdays. He's missed braces coming off," Christie Corley said. "He's missed the start of high school, start of first grade. A lot of firsts."

Her husband has been with P-3 squadrons for 15 years. The four-engine prop planes were designed for anti-submarine warfare, but since the start of the war in Afghanistan, have taken on an overland mission as well.

Some of VP-9's 500 sailors began arriving home last week. The "Golden Eagles" fly 10 P-3 Orions, and in addition to the overland missions, flew maritime patrol and reconnaissance in the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf.

Christie Corley said this deployment was a little scarier "because he's been in places I didn't want him to be in."

Teresa Mitchell had similar concerns for her husband, 35-year-old Lt. j.g. Derrick Mitchell, a weapons officer.

Several months ago she lost a cousin who was serving in the Middle East, and a soldier who is a friend received burns on 40 percent of his body in Afghanistan.

"I just feel blessed I was able to talk to (Derrick) every day," she said. "Of course, my fear factor was raised knowing he was in the danger zone."

Teresa Mitchell, also a lieutenant junior grade in the Navy, is deploying in January on an aircraft carrier. Their two daughters, ages 13 and 10, have been going to school in Georgia and staying with a grandparent because of the Mitchell's deployments.

She said it's been hard.

"The kids aren't here, I'm here and he was there (on deployment)," she said. "We're all separated in different places."