WIVES and girlfriends shed tears of joy as their loved ones returned home from a six month tour of duty in Iraq.

More than 70 soldiers from Six Close Support Squadron, of the Abingdon-based 12 Logistic Support Regiment, arrived back at their home base of Dalton Barracks at 7.30pm on Friday.

The soldiers were targeted by roadside bombs and came under machine gun and mortar fire during 26 weeks in and around Basra.

Lce Cpl Stephen Lawlor, 27, from Spey Road, Abingdon, said: "I cannot believe I am home. I feel fantastic, it is the best feeling in the world.

"It has been very warm but I have been with a great bunch of lads. I'm looking forward to getting home with my boys and spoiling them rotten."

His wife Nicola, 28, said: "I have missed him lots. I have just missed having someone to talk to and go out with. I am really proud of what he has done."

None of the soldiers had been able to drink alcohol while in Basra and Lce Cpl Colin Brooks, 22, from Avon Road, Abingdon, was one of many who wasted no time in getting a cold beer.

He was met by his wife Katie, 21, who said: "It has been tough - this is the second tour he has been on.

"I have been revising for my nursing exams and it has been hard having no one to test me."

Lce Cpl Brooks said: "It is hard graft and you miss home but you get used to it. There are no words to describe seeing my wife.

"I am looking forward to good food and the normality."

Danielle Evans, 26, also from Spey Road, met her husband Stuart at the base. She said: "It has been hard for our two children. Every time you hear something on the news you just worry about them."

The soldiers had spent 24 hours in decompression in Cyprus before flying into Brize Norton and then driving to the barracks on Friday.

While on Operation Telic in Iraq they provided military cover for convoys from Kuwait which were carrying food, fuel, ammunition and communications equipment to front-line troops in Basra.

Commanding officer Major Paul Smith said it was testament to his troops dedication that they had not suffered a single fatality or casualty during the tour.

He said: "I am very proud of them. It is a dangerous and difficult environment. We have been shot at, dealt with roadside bombs and had quite a lot of rocket attacks on the way.

"They are a strong bunch of boys and girls. I am so proud of them because the majority of them are under 25."

The squadron will now spend two weeks settling back in to routine on the base before they are each given four weeks leave.