When Master Sgt. Joel Jones was deployed two months ago, he was worried his young daughter wouldn’t recognize him when he returned.

During his time away, the father and daughter stayed connected though Facetime, but communicating electronically couldn’t replace the real thing. 

Joel Jones’ worries were in vain. 

On Wednesday, Brynlee Jones’s tiny pink rain boots hit the tarmac at Key Field in Meridian, as she scrambled to greet her father, disappearing in his embrace.

Joel Jones, clad in fatigues, joyfully smiled as he knelt to pick up the little girl, hoisting her in the air. 

The master sergeant was one of many members of the 186th Air Refueling Wing coming home just in time for the holidays. Some members of the group have been deployed for as long as 120 days.

It was a good day for the Jones family, who will celebrate Brynlee’s second birthday on Thursday.

“That’s daddy’s best friend,” said Charity Jones, Brynlee’s mother.

Now back home, Joel Jones will get a chance to be a dad again, celebrating his wedding anniversary with his wife and spending time with his little one.

“I couldn’t wait to get off the airplane,” he said. 

Nearby, Margaret Duncan stood waiting for her husband, Lt. Col. James Duncan, as their daughter, Isabella, held up a welcome home sign.  

“I am beyond excited,” said Margaret Duncan.

Her eight-year-old daughter shared that feeling, saying she was looking forward to playing video games with her dad. James Duncan’s mother, Linda, said they planned to celebrate Thanksgiving early, eating turkey on Wednesday night instead of waiting until next week.

Master Sgt. Joshua McDonald’s family was also glad to see him return after a three-month deployment, his longest time away since they’ve had children.

His wife, Kristin McDonald, said they plan on taking a trip to the Great Smokey Mountains in Tennessee after Thanksgiving. 

“Being during the holidays it makes it very special,” she said. 

Col. Britt Watson, commander of the 186th maintenance group, has seen his share of fellow service members return home from deployments.

The one thing he enjoys the most is seeing families reconnect after being apart.

“It’s fun to watch their expressions on their faces,” he said.