BOSTON (CBS) — It was a very warm welcome home at Logan Airport Sunday for 42 members of the National Guard 102nd Security Forces Squadron.

After a long flight home from Iraq, their friends and family greeted them at Terminal A with signs and American flags.

WBZ NewsRadio’s Kim Tunnicliffe reports from Logan Airport.

The Squadron, which is part of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, had been in Iraq for six months providing security at air bases.

Charles O’Dowd said it’s been a long six months.

“Unfortunately this has been my m.o. I’ve been gone three times in the last four years and all of them for the holidays,” said O’Dowd.

As the troops walked off the flight, the crowd erupted and many hugs and tears were exchanged.

Milton Montalvo left when his daughter was just weeks old.

WBZ-TV’s Alana Gomez reports.

“My main concern was ‘is she gonna recognize me?’ said Montalvo. “I guess she remembers me she smiles and everything at me.”

“Everyday I was worried I was gonna get that phone call or somebody would show up at the door,” said Tammy Montalvo who’s been caring for the couple’s four children. “I’m grateful that it never happened and we just missed him.”

John Mclaughlin Jr. gave his girlfriend of two years a huge hug.

“Nothing beats real face-to-face time,” said John Jr., who has coped with the distance by using Skype.

His dad, John Mclaughlin Sr., said he served in Desert Storm and is watching his son John Jr. follow in his footsteps.

“20 years to the date he’s coming home. So he missed his 25th birthday like I did,” said John Sr. “He stepped up to the plate. I’m very proud of him.”

WBZ-TV’s Alana Gomez contributed to this report.