HURLBURT FIELD, FL - The 20Th Special Operations Squadron from Hurlburt Field has returned from their deployment in Iraq ... And it is their final homecoming together.

Channel Three's Erin Ovalle joins us in the studio with their story.

It was an early morning ... The ceremony began at 3:30 am... But nobody was rubbing their tired eyes ... Everyone there appeared to be wide awake as they anxiously waited to greet their loved ones.

These airmen were greeted with balloons, signs, and lots of hugs as they stepped off the plane.

They've been deployed for about four months ... Working hard to complete their mission.

"We really sprinted to the finish line a lot of guys tired kept focused though to the end able to get through without any significant accidents or problems."

The squadron flies the Mh-53 Pave Low heavy-lift helicopter.

The Vietnam war era helicopter is being retired and the squadron will officially be deactivated October 16th.

"It's a bittersweet feeling, love what they do but know it's time for the aircraft to go it's old and needs significant work if we continue to fly it."

"I flew for fifteen years on the Pave Low we flew our last mission in Iraq and knew it was time to retire."

Some of these airmen have been working together for years ... They say their deployments together and camaraderie they've built over the years will be missed ... But they're happy to be home.

"In their hearts always the assignments and other Pave Low Squadrons and H53's will be something they cherish the rest of their lives."

" A lot of camaraderie between us so it was nice to come home together even nicer to see my family."

Their official final day together is November First. 20th Special Ops Squadron Homecoming