AURORA, Colo. (CBS4) – The Colorado National Guard, dignitaries and soldiers’ families celebrated the return of Company G, 2nd Battalion, 135th General Support Aviation from Iraq after 10 months of service.

The redeployment ceremony was held at the Army National Guard Aviation Support Facility on Buckley Air Force Base on Tuesday afternoon. The troops were welcomed home with loud cheers.

See a photo gallery with more images from Buckley.

The troops provided around-the-clock medevac capabilities for U.S. and coalition forces within United States Division South, which encompasses the southern half of Iraq.

“One-hundred-ninety-six soldiers might not get to participate in this type of ceremony without the work that these fine soldiers did,” a commander said.

“It’s a great feeling. That’s why we do what we do,” a soldier said.

The unit flew more than 900 missions for a total of nearly 2,250 flight hours, all while maintaining the best medevac launch time Iraq-wide for the duration of the deployment.

“It was a great mission, got to help a lot of people,” pilot Maggie Leturno said. “It’s an honor to be able to do it.”

It was Leturno’s first mission. She was one of only a handful of female pilots.

The Citizen-Soldiers of Company G come from communities all over Colorado.