Sixteen members of the Army National Guard returned home Tuesday after a year-long mission in Afghanistan.

Friends and family welcomed back their loved ones from all over the state. It was an emotional scene as the brave members of Team Spartan -- as they call themselves -- returned to the Cornhusker state.

Their job was to help train Afghanistan's National Army and Police Force in a variety of locations around the country. They were first mobilized for duty in February of 2007.

"I want you to know as your Commander and Chief that there's not a more proud day for me than to have all of you back," said Gov. Dave Heineman.

Flanked by his wife and three children, Master Sgt. Jeff Kuklis returned home a hero.

"It was good. We served one year. We were gone almost 15 months, but it's very good. It's nice knowin that we served our country. It was the beginning of a new mission over in Afghanistan; we were a tip of the spear," Kuklis said.

Kuklis' wife Stacy didn't travel overseas, but she and her family paid a price as well.

"I'm very proud. Even as a wife, just to know that your husband has done what he's done, you're very honored. It's good, it's a good feeling," she said.

The commander of the embedded training team is also relieved to be home.

"I probably can't express it in words how it means as a commander and leader of this team to know that every member of this team is home safely," said Lt. Col. Michael Deger.

Heineman sent a heartfelt thank you.

"I know I speak for this entire state and every citizen, the one thing we do very, very well in this state, and we've had a chance to do it twice in the last five days is to turn out and say thank you to show our support for you for defending our freedom. Welcome home. Thank you very much," he said.

Each member of Team Spartan feels good about being a part of the police mentoring mission. They say their work will help to further stabilize the country of Afghanistan.