On New Year's Eve, thousands of soldiers were quickly deployed to the Middle East to help with regional security amid rising tensions with Iran. And on Thursday, some of those soldiers got to come home.
The 82nd Airborne Division announced the return of the first elements of the 1st Brigade Combat Team to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where many of them had loved ones waiting.
The paratroopers were among the first troops sent to Iraq after protesters attacked the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. An anonymous U.S. official told ABC News the troops were able to return home because the situation "is more stable."
In all, approximately 3,000 soldiers were deployed to the region. It's unclear when the rest will make their way back.
