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FORT CARSON, COLO. -- Hundreds of Fort Carson soldiers are back on American soil after spending a long deployment in Afghanistan.

Of the 3,800 soldiers that make up the 1st Brigade Combat Team (1BCT), 550 returned home Wednesday in two emotional homecoming ceremonies at the Special Events Center. Many were supposed to arrive back to the Mountain Post on Tuesday, which made families that much more anxious to see their loved ones.

"I haven't seen him for six months," Candis Stump said while waiting for her husband. "I'm ecstatic!"

As soldiers from the Raider Brigade filed into the Special Events Center, family and friends cheered and shed tears of joy.

"I was nervous at first, but now I am just so happy to see he is home," one soldier's wife said.

The 1BCT has spent the past 12 months rebuilding Afghanistan's infrastructure and assist the Afghan government through combat troops.

Sgt. Jose Ruiz returned home in September after surviving an IED blast just two months into his deployment. Ruiz has spent the past several months in a wheelchair, but during both homecoming ceremonies, he walked with a cane to be reunited with the Raider Brigade.

"It is a good thing," Ruiz said. "It feels like I have my family back home."

Many others were excited to be reunited with their families. After months of waiting, soldiers rushed to hug and hold their loved ones.

"I am happy to be home, happy to be safe," Staff Sgt. Erik Boettcher said as he held his 3-year-old son. "As you can see, he isn't going to let me go, so I am just loving the love right now. The attention is great."

For many, the return home could not be at a better time as they have big plans for Father's Day weekend."

"I'm taking this guy to Chuck-E-Cheese," Boettcher said.

More soldiers from the 1BCT are expected to return to Fort Carson next week.