ADF troops return from Afghanistan

Baby Michaela waits with her mum Catherine Keith for the return of dad Brendan.
Photograph: Helen Davidson for the Guardian

Some couldn't wait for the returning Australian soldiers to get through the arrivals gate at Sydney airport after months in Afghanistan.
Photograph: Helen Davidson for the Guardian

Natalie Harrison and Julie Davis wait for Julie’s sister, Katie. The 22-year-old had been in Afghanistan for eight and a half months months on her first appointment with the ADF.
Photograph: Helen Davidson for the Guardian

After a nervous wait in the arrivals lounge, families were reunited with returning soldiers.
Photograph: Helen Davidson for the Guardian

A returned Australian ADF member glimpses his family for the first time after arriving in Sydney from Afghanistan.
Photograph: Helen Davidson for the Guardian

A huge press pack surrounded family reunions as Australian troops returned to Sydney from Afghanistan.
Photograph: Helen Davidson for the Guardian

Katie Davis returns home after eight and a half months in Afghanistan and is greeted by her father and sister at Sydney airport.
Photograph: Helen Davidson for the Guardian

A returned Australian ADF member is greeted by his mum at Sydney airport after months in Afghanistan.
Photograph: Helen Davidson for the Guardian

Neil McEwan shares a joke with his son, Corporal John McEwan, who has been in Afghanistan since July.
Photograph: Helen Davidson for the Guardian