Aussie troops return from Iraq

Family and friends have given Australian soldiers an emotional welcome home after an
eight-month security mission in Iraq.
Loved ones and some top military brass met the group of about 50 returning troops,
primarily from the Brisbane-based 2/14 Light Horse Regiment, at Brisbane
International Airport on Saturday.
The security detachment was responsible for protecting Australia's diplomatic
mission in Baghdad.
Commander of the 7th Brigade, Brigadier Paul McLachlan, was on hand to welcome his
soldiers, expressing relief at their safe return after the recent deaths in
Afghanistan of comrades from the same brigade.
"It's a bit of a bittersweet thing, we're certainly faced with the reality of losing
our six soldiers over in Afghanistan at the moment," Brig McLachlan told reporters
ahead of the troops' arrival.
"It takes a huge load off the families' shoulders to have these guys come back safe
and sound."
Even members of the media corp shed tears as kids and spouses ran to greet loved
ones they hadn't seen in months.
Cheers erupted from the crowd as each soldier walked through the doors into the
arrivals hall at the airport.
Jackie, wife of Corporal Jason Ross, who had just returned from his fifth
detachment, said she "absolutely" loved him despite his long absences.
"It's pretty hard, but as long as we stick together as much as we can, it's fine,
it's his job," she said as their children Sassy and Harlan mobbed their dad.
Trooper Rick Milosuvic said he he'd been getting nervous on the plane and he was
surprised at how much his two girls had grown.
He said the recent losses in Afghanistan were bound to add to the fears of families
of personnel deployed abroad.
"I guess any family would be a bit worried about their family overseas," he said.
"I'm just out there doing my job and hope that at home they're all safe and happy."
Trooper Milosuvic said Iraq was not nearly as volatile now as it was years ago but
any overseas deployment carried risks.
Soldiers from Darwin will replace the Brisbane-based troops on the Baghdad
detachment, a task that will now be shared between military and private security
firms.
"Baghdad is still a little bit uncertain. There's still quite a few security issues
over there, but it's significantly improved from the bad old days," Brig McLachlan
said.