FORT HOOD, Texas - Approximately 250 Soldiers from the Brigade Troops Battalion, 15th Sustainment Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division returned to Fort Hood Oct. 18 to waiting family members, rear detachment Soldiers and a special guest.

The special guest, who greeted each of the Soldiers at the plane as they disembarked, was Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth Preston, a native of Mount Savage, Md., and the Army's senior noncommissioned officer.

Preston, who is visiting the Soldiers and leaders of Fort Hood, landed several minutes before the flight of Soldiers and came over to welcome home the arriving First Team troopers.

Awaiting on the other side of Fort Hood, were the friends and loved ones of the Soldiers, including Cynthia Garcia, an Elsa, Texas, native who was eagerly awaiting the arrival of her husband Sgt. 1st Class Jose Garcia, a communications sergeant who hails from Edcouch, Texas, with the Brigade Troops Battalion's Company B.

Cynthia said that she and her three kids have spent the last few days preparing for his arrival by moving into a new home and getting things unpacked.

She had hoped to have the unpacking done, including her husband's clothes and other stuff, before he returned from the deployment, but the house they are having built won't be complete for another week.

Garcia said that he is looking forward to relaxing and spending time with the family now that he is home.

"I'm looking forward to just chilling out with the family, and seeing my boy play football," Garcia said. For Garcia, family was what he missed the most while deployed, especially watching his son's football games.

Cynthia said that they have a small vacation planned in Austin, time that they can all relax and spend time as a family.