Hays ? Fifteen months after they left for Iraq, members of a Kansas National Guard transportation unit returned to their home state, and to cheers and hugs from friends and family members.

The 40 soldiers from the 731st Medium Truck Co. arrived Saturday at the Hays American Legion. The unit is based in Dodge City, with platoons in Hays, Liberal and Wichita.

“Sgt. Byrd! We think you did good,” 15-year-old Nick Larson, of Liberal, shouted to his stepfather, Staff Sgt. Larry Byrd.

Nick and his siblings — 8-year-old Alex Larson, 10-year-old Marissa Larson and 15-year-old Lathea Byrd — pulled party poppers that released confetti as Byrd walked past with his unit. Byrd stopped to kiss his wife, Catherine, before continuing to a welcoming ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park.

The soldiers stood for the national anthem and invocation before the address by Brig. Gen. Jonathan Small, the guard’s assistant adjutant general.

“Soldiers of the 731st, please be seated. You’ve done enough standing in the sun, I’m sure,” Small told them.

Two soldiers, Staff Sgt. Daniel Reiling and Staff Sgt. Larry Widener, received Bronze Stars at the ceremony.

“They went above and beyond the call of duty,” said 1st Lt. Darren Hoskins, of Wichita, the platoon leader for the mission. “It would have been more difficult to accomplish the mission without them.”

Most soldiers received Army Commendation Medals, and Hoskins said he expected more medals would be awarded later to members of the unit.

Spc. Russell Biffle kisses his wife of 14 months, Desirae, at the homecoming for the 731st Medium Truck Co. Biffle had been stationed in central Iraq for more than a year. His unit, based in Dodge City, returned Saturday to Hays.

During its 15-month tour, one year of which was spent in Iraq, the company logged 2.3 million miles hauling cargo. Hoskins said the Guard members were attacked numerous times with rocket-propelled grenades and roadside bombs.

Kalia Castlebury, 2, laughs during the homecoming celebration for her father, Sgt. Joshua Castlebury, as her mother, Sarah, looks on. Sgt. Castlebury, of Newton, returned Saturday after a year in Iraq. He received an Army Commendation Medal.