MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) – A contigent of New Hampshire Air National Guard members got a big welcome home after serving six months in Iraq.

About 100 friends and family members greeted the dozen members of the Air Guard’s 157th Security Forces Squadron at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport on Friday. Passengers at their gates applauded as the group walked by, headed to hugs from family members.

The airmen, who volunteered for the Iraq duty, said their base was attacked at least once a week by rockets and mortar fire.