Air Force Master Sgt. Dustin Ruland returned from his fifth deployment earlier this week, but conspired with his wife to surprise his kids Thursday afternoon.

By the look on Mason Ruland’s face, it was obvious that he didn’t expect to see his father walk into the seventh period class at Russell Middle School. His dad had been serving in south Asia for over six months.

"It's always just nice coming home, being gone for so long things change and kids grow up,” Ruland said.

The family wasn’t expecting Ruland to be home for several more days, but he was able to catch an early flight. It was news he shared only with his wife Heather, who helped to arrange the surprise.

"[Mason] and his older sister are very quick and they would've picked up on something right away, so it was hard,” Heather Ruland said.

Dustin Ruland also surprised his daughter Thursday afternoon.