[Kathy in Alaska]

HOME FROM THE FRONT — Over 300 U.S. Central Command personnel from the command's forward-deployed headquarters in Qatar return home to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla., May 14. They'd been deployed in the Persian Gulf since January supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Photo by Navy Petty Officer Gary Bonaccorso

Family members wave to loved ones upon the arrival of over 300 U.S. Central Command personnel from the forward deployed headquarters in Qatar. U.S. Central Command photo by Navy Petty Officer Gary Bonaccorso

A boy awaits a soldier's return from war. U.S. Central Command photo by Navy Petty Officer Gary Bonaccorso

[Kathy in Alaska]

After spotting his Dad, a boy sprints across the tarmac. U.S. Central Command photo by Navy Petty Officer Gary Bonaccorso

Reunited at last, a boy welcomes his father home with a big hug. U.S. Central Command photo by Navy Petty Officer Gary Bonaccorso