FORT DIX, N.J. — The first wave of a total of 4,000 Pennsylvania National Guard soldiers returned to the states early today, marking the beginning of the end of the largest combat deployment of Pennsylvania guardsmen since World War II.

More than 300 members of the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team arrived at Fort Dix, greeting family members with hugs and kisses.

Sgt. Giancarlo Deguia, 24, of Brownsville, met his five-month-old son, Lucas, for the first time.

"It's one of the greatest days in my life," he said. "I've been looking forward to this since I left."

Deguia was greeted by his four-year-old daughter, Chloe, and his tearful wife, Brandi.

The 56th is the only one of the Army's seven Stryker units in a Guard division. It is based in Philadelphia but includes soldiers from across the state. The soldiers returning today are from units in Huntingdon, Altoona, Everett and Hamburg, and more soldiers from the same battalion were expected to arrive within 24 hours.