Last Airmen in Iraq return

An Airman returning from Iraq greets his wife Dec. 20, 2011, at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Baltimore, Md. More than 200 Airmen were on the flight that carried some of the last Airmen to return from Iraq. The Airmen arrived home in time for Christmas as stated by the president. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Bennie Davis)

Last Airmen in Iraq return

Connor Vilpors waits to greet his father Dec. 20, 2011, at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Baltimore, Md. Connor's father, Lt. Col. Steven Vilpors, was deployed to Iraq and was one of the last Airmen to return home from supporting the completed Operation New Dawn. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Bennie Davis)

Last Airmen flying out of Iraq

The 407th Air Expeditionary Group Passenger Terminal, which is normally bustling with traveling service members, is being used for the last time Dec. 18, 2011, by the last remaining Airmen leaving Ali Air Base, Iraq. The last remaining U.S. airmen left Iraq per the Iraq and U.S. 2008 Security Agreement that required all U.S. service members to be out of the country by Dec. 31, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)

Last Airmen flying out of Iraq

An 407th Air Expeditionary Wing aerial porter prepares the last pallet to be transported out of Ali Air Base, Iraq, Dec. 18, 2011. A group of Airmen were the last service members to redeploy from Iraq based on the Iraq and U.S. 2008 Security Agreement that required all U.S. service members to be out of the country by Dec. 31. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)

Last Airmen flying out of Iraq

Staff Sgt. Michael Braach (left), Airman 1st Class Irving Adams (middle) and Senior Airman Wally Carney clown around before take-off Dec. 18, 2011, on a C-17 Globemaster III at Ali Air Base, Iraq. The Airmen are the last service members to redeploy from Iraq based on the Iraq and U.S. 2008 Security Agreement that required all U.S. service members to be out of the country by Dec. 31. Braach, Adams and Carney are firefighters assigned to the 407th Air Expeditionary Group. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)

Last Airmen flying out of Iraq

Airmen assigned to the 407th Air Expeditionary Group prepare to take off on a C-17 Globemaster III Dec. 18, 2011, at Ali Air Base, Iraq. The Airmen are the last service members to leave Iraq. Since 2003, more than one million service members have served in Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)