They helped train the Afghan police force and witnessed some of the worst violence in the war in Afghanistan, but the week of scheduled and rescheduled flights home were possibly the most anxiety-ridden of these soldiers’ year overseas.

“It was horrible. We thought we were coming home on a certain date, and then we kept getting delayed,“ said Staff Sgt. Aaron Kyle Delozier. “It is kind of like Murphy’s law. Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.”

About 240 soldiers with the 984th Military Police Company and the 759th Military Police Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment returned from Afghanistan Friday night.

Officials blamed ash from last month’s volcanic eruption in Iceland and mechanical problems for a four-day delay in their return; they were expected Monday but were delayed twice. Then, their flight to Colorado from Bangor, Maine, on Thursday had to turn around because their plane lost an engine.

Twice this week Monica Duran drove halfway from Albuquerque only to get the news that her son Sgt. Roger Duran was delayed.

“It’s been hell,” Monica Duran said Friday night at the Fort Carson Special Events Center waiting some more.While the MPs were stuck in Kazakhstan, they happened upon a Toby Keith concert, which eased their anxiety to get home.

Maria Melendez sat smiling waiting for her boyfriend, Ltc. Laurence Lobdell.

“I think it is more difficult for them. They want to be here,” she said. “We’re all excited. It has been a terrible week, but everything happens for a reason, and they’re here.”

In addition to serving as convoy and camp protection, the military police units were in training the Afghanistan military police to take over patrols, said Spc. Sean Ambriz. Toward the end of their deployment, the units moved to the country’s larger cities.

“It feels good to be back,” Ambriz said. “It looks just like Afghanistan with the mountains and all. The only difference is, I see Americans.”

DETAILS

More than 700 more soldiers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division will be returning throughout the weekend. Here is a schedule of homecoming ceremonies to be held at the Special Events Center, all of which are subject to last minute changes: 2:15 a.m. Saturday, 5:45 p.m. Saturday and noon Monday.

Cpl. Chris Rushbrook with his 6-month-old son Conner after Rushbrook and other soldiers with the 984th Military Police Company and the 759th Military Police Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment were welcomed from their deployment in Afghanistan by family and friends Friday. Photo by BRYAN OLLER, THE GAZETTE

Staff Sgt. Aaron Delozier picked up his excited daughter Kylie just after returning home from his tour in Afghanistan. Photo by BRYAN OLLER, THE GAZETTE