← Military & Defence

Homecomings and Reunions

Emotional reunions of military personnel with families, showcasing children and partners celebrating their return after deployments, filled with warmth and joy.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (October 7, 2019) -- Airmen of the Florida Air National Guard return home following a four month deployment to Southwest Asia. This was the first unit combat tour in more than 20 years.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (October 7, 2019) -- Airmen of the Florida Air National Guard return home following a four month deployment to Southwest Asia. This was the first unit combat tour in more than 20 years.
254 assets in this story
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A chief petty officer from the aircraft carrier USS SARATOGA (CV-60) is greeted by his family upon his return to Naval Station Mayport at the end of the ship's final cruise, a six month deployment to the Mediterranean. The ship is scheduled to be decommissioned on August 20, 1994. Base: Mayport State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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120523-N-DH124-212SAN DIEGO (May 23, 2012) Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Roel Lunod, assigned to the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), receives the first hug from his daughter during a homecoming celebration at Naval Base San Diego. Bunker Hill, part of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, returned home after a six-month deployment supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.
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Members of USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal to assist with U.S. response efforts in the aftermath of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck central Nepal, on April 25th, affecting more than 8 million people and causing widespread damage and destruction.
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U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, greet their families after a redeployment ceremony at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Aug. 18, 2022. The Raider Brigade is constantly deployment-ready to protect the core principles found in the United States Constitution against all enemies who may jeopardize those values, both foreign and domestic.
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LAPLACE, La. - Sgt. Lee Savoy, a soldier with the 256th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, evacuates a child, Aug. 30, 2012, from the flood waters caused by Hurricane Isaac. The LANG has more than 8,000 Soldiers and Airmen ready to support our citizens, local & state authorities in support of Operation Isaac.
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Polish Gen. Cezary Wisniewski, Deputy Commander of the Polish Armed Forces, congratulates Michal Kordasz, the son of deceased Polish Army Lt. Col. Grzegorz Kordasz, for completing the Gold Star 500 as the riders arrive at the Great Lakes Community Center, part of the Naval Station Great Lakes near North Chicago, Illinois, on Sept. 24. Several Illinois National Guard active and retired service members participate in the more than 500-mile bicycle ride that raises awareness of the approximately 300 Illinois service members who have fallen since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, including 34 members of the Illinois National Guard. This year's Gold Star 500 included 16 Polish riders who learned of the 5-day event through the Illinois National Guard's State Partnership Program with the Polish military. The Polish riders included seven Polish Army Soldiers, six students and three Polish Gold Star Family members. The Illinois Army National Guard co-deployed with Polish first to Iraq an
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240111-N-LW994-1178 - MIAMI, Fla. (Jan. 11, 2024) - A Special Warfare Combat Crewman (SWCC) congratulates a woman after her attempt of the Workout of the Day (WOD) during a Naval Special Warfare Assessment Command outreach event at the WODapalooza Crossfit event at Bayfront Park. Naval Special Warfare is the nation's elite maritime special operations force, uniquely positioned to extend the Fleet's reach and gain and maintain access for the Joint Force in competition and conflict.
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The daughter of a deployed 35th Infantry Division Soldier, holds a doll that resembles her father at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Mo., Sept. 11, 2022. Families and friends of the 35th Infantry Division came out to Kauffman Stadium to spend the day watching baseball and showing their support for their deployed Soldiers.(U.S. Army National Guard photos by Spc. Rose Di Trolio)
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Sergio Matias Chontal-Harter participates in a simulated formation for retreat with Fort McCoy Garrison Commander Col. Stephen Messenger and 1st Sgt. Jacob Pattison with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Garrison-Fort McCoy, on Feb. 12, 2024, at the garrison headquarters at Fort McCoy, Wis. Matias, 6, interviewed Messenger as part of a school social studies project. Matias is the son of a Fort McCoy employee, and he also experienced what it's like to participate in the Army Combat Fitness Test and how to participate in retreat at the end of the duty day. Army
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Maj. Jennifer Helton, a navigator for the 165th Airlift Squadron, hugs her son, Kaiden Helton, next to the flight line of the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Nov. 12, 2012. Helton was one of 58 Kentucky Air Guardsmen returning from a four-month deployment to the Persian Gulf region.
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030421-F-9916S-005. State: Wisconsin (WI) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC
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A Soldier and his family pose with Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) volunteers dressed as Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus for a Christmas photo during the Winter Fest at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Dec. 6, 2022. The holiday season is difficult for some Soldiers and their loved ones, who are often away from home, but the 3rd Infantry Division holds events like the Winter Fest to help make the holidays more enjoyable.
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010414-N-5100O-029. Subject Operation/Series: VALIANT RETURN Base: Naval Air Station Whidbey Island State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: VQ-1
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Command Sgt. Maj. Randy Ly completes his last official duty for the North Carolina Army National Guard at his retirement ceremony at the North Carolina National Guard Armory in Newton, North Carolina, Jan. 13, 2023. Ly was honored for his 30 years of service to state and nation.
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MCGHEE TYSON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Tenn.- Elliott Crabtree, age 7, was chosen to be "Pilot for a Day" here. Crabtree got to tour different facilities around the base and meet Airmen from the 134th ARW. (Air National Guard photo by: Staff Sgt. Melissa Dearstone)
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STAFF Sergeant (SSGT) John Cox, with the 99th Civil Squadron (CES), at Nellis Air Force Base (AFB), rejoins his wife, Lynette and their newborn son, Gabriel, after a six-month deployment in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC
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070221-A-6854T-068. Base: Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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171128-M-ON157-0009IWAKUNI, Japan (Nov. 28, 2017) A young girl runs to greet her family after the arrival of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115, VFA-195 and Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141 at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan. VFA-115, VFA-195 and VAQ 141 arrived at MCAS Iwakuni as part Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5s relocation from Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, Japan. The relocation from NAF Atsugi to MCAS Iwakuni fulfills the final Defense Policy Review Initiative objective. The relocation is in accordance with the United States strategic vision for the rebalance in the Indo-Asia Pacific Region and helps to further strengthen the U.S.-Japan security alliance.
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Chief Musician Eric Snitzer, assigned to the Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), greets his family with Sage upon his return to Naval Station Norfolk following an eight-month deployment, Jan. 17, 2024. The Gerald R. Ford CSG was deployed to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. 6th Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.
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U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Joseph J. Caputo, oncoming sergeant major, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, and his family pose for a photo after the MCBH Relief and Appointment and Retirement ceremony, MCBH, Aug. 19, 2022. Sgt. Maj. Lester L. Williams was relieved by Caputo as the MCBH Sergeant Major. Williams served over 30 years in the U.S. Marine Corps.
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070106-M-6412C-004. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Camp Lejeune State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: RCT-6
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220402-N-HD110-1278MAYPORT, Fla. - (April 2, 2022) -- Chief Information Systems Technician Joel Castillo, assigned to the Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Milwaukee (LCS 5), gives his daughter a rose as the ship returns from deployment to Naval Station Mayport, April 2, 2022. Milwaukee was deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations to support Joint Interagency Task Force Souths mission, which includes counter-illicit drug trafficking missions in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.
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Calee, 3, high-fives McRuff the Crime Dog, as her mother, U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Michelle Shipp, 21st Security Force Squadron first sergeant, cheers her on at the Defenders Fair at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, May 19, 2022. The event had live music, games, educational displays and food trucks for all to enjoy.
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Senior Airman Paul Smith and Igor Olenburg spray water with a fire hose at the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, on July 14, 2012. The Transit Center Theater Security Cooperation division provided a tour to children from the Friends of Children orphanage, which included a capabilities demonstration provided by the 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron fire department. Smith is a 376 ECES fire department hydrant plugman” deployed from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. and is a native of Middletown, Del.
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030913-M-7837W-004. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Naval Air Station, Fort Worth State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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040123-M-3843C-005. Base: Mcas, Beaufort State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: VMFA 224
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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (May 25, 2022) -Zoey Spencer, left, and Emani Spencer, right, place the rank of a 2nd class petty officer on Aviation Boatswains Mate (Fuel) 2nd Class (AW/SW) Terrence J. Spencer, assigned to the engineering department on the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), during a pinning ceremony at the Mariners Museum in Newport News. George Washington is undergoing refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipyard. RCOH is a multi-year project performed only once during a carriers 50-year service life that includes refueling the ships two nuclear reactors, as well as significant repairs, upgrades, and modernization.
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NORFOLK (Sept. 8, 2022) A Sailor assigned to the USS San Jacinto (CG-56) embraces his spouse after returning to Naval Station Norfolk after a regularly scheduled deployment in the U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of operations, Sept. 8. San Jacinto was deployed as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group in support of theater security cooperation efforts and to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.
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051117-A-9419D-019. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Lansing State: Michigan (MI) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Alpha Co., 2-10 Assault Helicopter Battalion return home to their families on Fort Drum, Ny Sep. 7, 2022. VooDoo Soldiers spent almost a year in Iraq defending the nation.
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Home and welcome to Den Helder in March 1989 from the mine hunter Hr.Ms. Urk (1986-) After a mission in the Persian Gulf.
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U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Nicholas Bulldis, a crew member assigned to USCGC Legare (WMEC 912, is welcomed home by his family during the cutter's return to home port in Portsmouth, Virginia, Feb. 17, 2023. Legare deployed for 63 days in support of Homeland Security Task Force - Southeast and Operation Vigilant Sentry to patrol the Coast Guards Seventh District area of operations.
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U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Alpha Co., 2-10 Assault Helicopter Battalion return home to their families on Fort Drum, Ny Sep. 7, 2022. VooDoo Soldiers spent almost a year in Iraq defending the nation.
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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Oct. 13, 2022) - Sailors assigned to the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) reunite with their families on the pier after the ship returned to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story following a deployment with the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), Oct. 13. More than 4,000 Sailors and Marines assigned to the Kearsarge ARG supported a wide range of interoperability opportunities and exercises across the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations increasing combat readiness and crisis response capabilities while strengthening relationships with both NATO Allies and partners.
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Col. Renea Dorvall, Assistant Adjutant General - Army, congratulates Gracie Leiva on her selection as Youth Volunteer of the Year for fiscal year 2021 by National Guard Bureau. Leiva has amassed over 400 volunteer hours over the past four years, supporting 52 separate events.
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A sailor and his wife are reunited on the pier. Five ships of the aircraft carrier USS SARATOGA (CV-60) battle group are returning to Mayport today after serving in the Persian Gulf region during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD DESERT STORM Base: Naval Station, Mayport State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Soldiers from the 27th Infantry Regiment visit the Holy Farm Home Orphanage located in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 3, 2022. The 27th Infantry Regiment 'Wolfhounds' relationship with the orphanage dates back to 1949.
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110417-F-NJ219-278KINGSTON, Jamaica (April 17, 2011) Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Lamonte Hammond, from Md., steadies a Jamaican boy learning to use his crutches after undergoing surgery to elongate his foot tendion aboard the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) during Continuing Promise 2011 (CP11). CP11 is a five-month humanitarian assistance mission to the Caribbean, Central and South America.
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220912-N-QI061-1836 NORFOLK (Sept. 12, 2022) A Sailor assigned to the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) greets family after returning to Naval Station Norfolk from a regularly scheduled deployment in the U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of operations in support of theater security cooperation efforts and to defend U.S., allied and partner interests, Sept. 12.
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051218-A-5011J-008. Base: Fort Stewart State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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020509-F-4155R-023. Base: Ellsworth Air Force Base State: South Dakota (SD) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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060311-N-0194K-003. Base: Naval Base, Norfolk State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Arthur Deleon, with Battalion Landing Team 2/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), poses for a photo with his family during a homecoming aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Oct. 10, 2022. Marines and Sailors assigned to the 22nd MEU returned home after completing a seven-month deployment with the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. Naval Sixth Fleet area of operations.
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031226-F-0381R-019. Base: Sarajevo Country: Bosnia And/I Herzegovina (BIH) Scene Major Command Shown: SFOR
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husband and active duty military wife in flight suit
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U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Ian Sharbel, a pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (Reinforced), reunites with his family during a homecoming event at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Oct. 7, 2022. The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, under the command and control of Task Force 61/2, completed a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.
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Lt. Gen. Milford Beagle, commanding general for the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, Santa Claus, Nate Curran and Elijah Curran, get ready to push the switch to turn on lights at the Fort Leavenworth holiday tree lighting.
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Secretary Dirk Kempthorne on visit to Walter Reed Hospital during lead-up to annual Rolling Thunder motorcyle rally through Washington, D.C.
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061204-N-4856G-045. Base: Pearl Harbor State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Russell D. Driggers, Joint Base San Antonio and 502nd Air Base Wing commander, greets Santa Claus at a holiday tree lighting ceremony Dec. 2, 2022 at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas. The ceremony featured a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus, sweet refreshments and live music.
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220422-N-GF955-1011NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. (Apr. 22, 2022) Mineman 2nd Class Victor Monsivais, assigned to the Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Billings (LCS 15) (Blue Crew), embraces his wife as the crew returns to Naval Station Mayport, Florida, Apr. 22, 2022 after completing a scheduled deployment. The crew deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations to support Joint Interagency Task Force Souths mission, which included counter-illicit drug trafficking missions in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.
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GREAT LAKES, Il. (Oct. 31, 2022) Players and staff from the Chicago Bears visited the USS Whitehat on Naval Station Great Lakes for a meet and greet event to sign autographs and take pictures with service-members, staff and their families. Opened in 1911, NSGL is the Navys largest training installation and the home of the Navys only Boot Camp. Located on over 1600 acres overlooking Lake Michigan, the installation includes 1,153 buildings with 39 on the National Register of Historic Places. NSGL supports over 50 tenant commands and elements as well as over 20,000 Sailors, Marines, Soldiers, and DoD civilians who live and work on the installation.
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Airmen and volunteers from the 134th Air Refueling Wing 'Santa Cops' program deliver $10,300 worth of gifts to hospitalized children and their families at the East Tennessee Children's Hospital in Knoxville, Dec. 3, 2022. The annual event is in its 21st year and gives Airmen a great chance to strengthen community relationships. (Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Nancy Goldberger)
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041212-F-0209C-003. Base: Ramstein Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)