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Fargo, N.D. (AP) There were cheers as members of the North Dakota Air National Guard's 119th wing stepped off the plane in Fargo.

The airmen returned home Wednesday afternoon from Kuwait, where they were deployed last fall as engineers. The Guard said 10 came back Wednesday and three others are due back later.

Tech. Sgt. San Anderson, of Audubon, Minn., was met by his wife and two young children. He said it was nice to be home, and it was longer than expected to be gone over the holidays.

Anderson said Kuwait was hot and now that he's back home in the winter weather, he said, "I'm sure my lungs will freeze when I get the first breath." Anderson's father, Don, of Detroit Lakes, Minn., also was in the welcoming party. He's a retired member of the 119th, known as the Happy Hooligans, and said he's proud of his son.

Information from: KFGO-AM, http://kfgo.com (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 01-08-09 0750CST | save this article / add to your favorites list