An early Christmas present for the loved ones of 200 Fort Carson soldiers: a homecoming, six months ahead of schedule.

The 4th Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team completed their mission early, allowing them to return home much earlier than originally planned. They returned home at 10 a.m.

For Joshua Wiley, Friday was the first chance he had to meet his 2-week-old son Logan. “It was one thing having him over in Afghanistan, but actually seeing him, holding him, kissing him… I’ve never been this happy in my entire life. This is the best day ever," he said.

Spouses kissed, excited kids raced towards their parents, eager parents embraced their child in uniform as families reunited after several months apart.

Spc. Ariel Zepeda hadn't seen her twins since they were 5-months-old. “You miss their first steps and their first birthday and everything else that comes along with it," she said, "but it’s great to see them now though. To be able to come back and see them.”

While deployed, the soldiers worked closely with the Afghan National Army and Afghan Uniformed Police, helping to keep the peace and increase the stability in the western province of Herat. The soldiers also conducted humanitarian projects while deployed.