An estimated 1,000 family members and friends eagerly awaited the Thanksgiving Eve arrival of more than 180 soldiers of the 1-189th Aviation Battalion of the Montana Army National Guard.

"This is an excellent Thanksgiving for us," said Mary Graff, who along with her daughter, Megan, welcomed home her husband, Chief Warrant Officer Tim Graff.

Married for 14 years, the Graffs will spend Thanksgiving with their entire family, who all live in Helena.

Mary said one of Tim's favorite things at the Thanksgiving table is his mother's stuffing -- or her pie.

Wendy Williams and her two sons, Witt, 7, and Jace, 10, along with 30 other family members, screamed with excitement as the plane touched Montana ground. The lively group met at the Army Aviation Support Facility more than two hours before the scheduled landing.

"They weren't due to come in until mid-December and I understand the transfer of authority went smoother and quicker than planned," Wendy said. "Things usually don't go quicker -- it is usually hurry up and wait. The stars were in alignment."

Wendy and husband, Chief Warrant Officer Tal Williams, will host about two dozen family members for turkey dinner today.

"It is all just a blessing -- really," Wendy said.

The Williams residence is on Valley Drive, and Wendy reported Wednesday afternoon that every house for about a two-mile stretch was decorated with yellow balloons, welcome-home signs and American flags.

"The neighbors have turned out in full force," she said.

Wendy said her sons could barely contain their excitement, and prior to Tal's arrival there was a great deal of running around and high-pitched screaming happening at home.

Chief Warrant Officer Clint Smith was home for his youngest daughter's birth, but since has been gone for more than a year.

Tabitha, his wife, says the family will spend the next few days getting reacquainted and watching home videos.

Among the crowd was Gov. Brian Schweitzer and his 2-year-old border collie, Jag.

He said it is important to him to attend the return of military troops.

"I attend as many as I can," he said. "Nancy and I, like other Montana families, have been praying for them while they've been gone."

A large group of students from the Capital High School band class volunteered to spend Wednesday evening performing for the troops' return.

The troops landed and taxied over to the facility with a parade of flashing emergency vehicles. As they exited the plane the soldiers got into battalion formation and were then formally dismissed.

Staff Sgt. Amanda Clark, of Billings, will be heading home tomorrow in a Chinook helicopter after the debriefing and scheduled parade.

She says what she missed most is the color green.

"Just something other than sand," Clark said.

Chief Warrant Officer and Helena native Kenny Getz, was welcomed home by his wife and children and nearly two dozen extended family members.

Getz, who is also a Lewis and Clark Deputy Sheriff, plans to spend Thanksgiving at his sister's home eating dinner with a large group of family members.

"The peace and quiet," is what Getz said he missed the most while in Iraq.

The troops of the 189th have been away from home since September 2004, and it is reported that they completed 1,400 combat missions.