After many months apart, the final days of a deployment seem like they should be the easiest. But with numerous delays in the final hours, the families of 280 Fort Carson soldiers were on pins and needles waiting for the first glimpse of that familiar face after nine months.

But when the returning soldiers were released to their loved ones, all those sleepless nights and frustration melted away.

Many people waiting at Fort Carson's Special Events Center told 11 News they didn't get a wink of sleep before the ceremony, which was held at 5 a.m. Friday. Most were too busy preparing for the moment they had spent the better part of a year waiting for.

It was one of a series of homecoming for the families of soldiers in the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. Soldiers and families were reunited in other ceremonies this week, and more are expected to return over the weekend.

The soldiers deployed to Afghanistan in February and partnered with four Afghan provincial governments while overseas.