California Army National Guard soldiers return home from Afghanistan

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. (KABC) -- For 338 days, families have waited for this moment to arrive.

Engineers with the Army National Guard returned to Los Alamitos from their tour of duty in Afghanistan Tuesday.

From handshakes of gratitude to long awaited embraces, the soldiers received a warm welcome.

"It was a long time, and now I'm back, thank God. It feels great," Army National Guard Cpl. Jose Gonzalez said.

Specialist Jeremy Washington was reunited with his wife and twin daughters.

"They're much heavier and much bigger than when I left, my arms are already getting tired," Washington said.

The 82 men were tasked with removing roadside bombs. Five of them were injured, but there were no fatalities.

For First Lt. Joe Divelbiss, the next assignment is getting to know his 3-month-old son.

"I'm just thankful, take some time to rest, and get back into family life, being a husband and a father," Divelbiss said.