Exhausted and elated, 120 Canadian soldiers are basking in a joyful homecoming after their mission in Afghanistan.

Defence Minister Bill Graham was among those at Quebec City's Jean Lesage Airport to greet the Canadian Forces members.

"They made tremendous sacrifices, tremendous contributions," he said, adding that both the governments of Canada and Afghanistan are grateful for their work.

For all those returning -- including fathers and sons, wives and daughters -- it was a time for laughter, tears and catching up.

Corporal Mario Roy's three-year-old daughter was potty trained while he was away.

"I missed a lot of important moments in her life," he said through an interpreter.

For relatives who waited back home, there was also a sense of relief.

"That was very hard," one woman said.

"You're always scared. It's the last thing you think about at night, the first thing you think about in the morning. You always wait for that phone call."

"I don't want my dad to leave again," said five-year-old Anne Morin. Her dad is back from five tours of duty.

The soldiers' return marks the end of Canada's largest committment in Afghan

Lt.-Gen Rick Hillier handed over command of NATO's international assistance force. He was in charge of soldiers from 34 countries as they patrolled the capital, Kabul, and built schools and hospitals.

"We're going to remember this mission," he said.

"Construction in Kabul is booming and we think that shows the confidence people have in their future," said Lt.-Col. Stephane Roy.

But while Canadians head home, others are getting ready to leave.

At the same time, a small contingent of Canadian soldiers on the other end of the country is leaving for Afghanistan.

About 75 troops from Edmonton will join a 600-member task force that's part of the ISAF multinational brigade.

Canadian troops are being deployed to Afghanistan in eight staggered flights.

All the troops should be in Kabul by Wednesday and will remain there until February.

The troops will replace a 1,900-member battle group from Valcartier, Que.

The smaller commitment is part of a plan by the military to scale back its overseas commitments for a time.

Missions in Bosnia, Haiti and the Persian Gulf will also be affected.

The soldiers will provide reconnaissance and surveillance to the Kabul multinational brigade and help train a new Afghan national army as part of Operation Athena.

A report in the National Post says Ottawa is considering sending troops outside Kabul to form one of NATO's Provincial Reconstruction Teams.

The teams would consist of both security and aid workers, helping with reconstruction outside the capital in areas not kept under tight security.

The report says the idea is still only in the planning stages, but there is a possibility Canadian troops could take part in a PRT next year.

Canadian military leaders have said they expect our troops will continue to serve in Afghanistan for years.

The latest deployment comes as Canada hands over control of the international security assistance force in the war-torn country. Canada has been in control of the operation since February.

The official handover ceremony took place in Kabul on Monday.

A French and German-led military unit called Euro Corps has taken control of the security force.