More than 100 soldiers arrived home in Canada Saturday following a six-month tour in Afghanistan.

The troops touched down in the afternoon at CFB Trenton in Eastern Ontario. Some 50 soldiers arrived back at the base on Thursday.

They were bused to their home base of CFB Petawawa where they had their long-awaited reunion with their families and loved ones.

"Children, finally!" one soldier said, hugging his little girls who each held a Canadian flag.

Defence Minister David Pratt and Chief of Defence Staff General Ray Henault were on hand for an official welcome home when the troops got off the plane at CFB Trenton.

Two soldiers on the mission came home prematurely, and they weren't able to hug their loved ones when they did. Sgt. Robert Short and Cpl Robbie Beerenfenger died in October when their Iltis jeep hit a mine. Militants are suspected, but it hasn't been proved yet that it was a terrorist act.

"It's very emotional, knowing they sacrified their lives for the operation," one soldier said. "It's very sad."

Morale was high, however, mainly because the troops felt they were improving the lives of Afghanis.

"I think they are happy we were there," said Pvt. Laurie Norquay. "I think we did make a difference and will continue to make a difference as long as we are there."

Some just marvelled at being back home -- and the advantages it confers.

"I can't even describe it. It's unreal how much better we have it here than over there," Pvt. Sean Russell told reporters after his arrival.

The troops are part of a contingent of 2,000 Canadians due to return home between now and Feb. 20.

They're already being replaced in Kabul by soldiers from the 5th Mechanized Brigade Group from Valcartier, Quebec. The new troops are members of the Royal 22nd Regiment, commonly known as the Vandoos.

The first 125 of the Vandoos left Canada last Tuesday.

In Afghanistan Saturday, Brig.-Gen. Jocelyn Lacroix assumed control of the Kabul Multinational Brigade (KMNB)in an official ceremony attended by 300 soldiers from six countries.

Lacroix is replacing Brig.-Gen. Peter Devlin.

The KMNB is made up of nearly 5,200 soldiers from 22 countries. Canadian troops make up about 40 per cent of the contingent.

Canada will take over command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) from Germany in a formal ceremony slated for Feb. 10.

In an address, Lacroix vowed to strengthen partnerships between international military forces and Afghan authorities and promised to serve "with honour, professionalism and utmost integrity."

"I will command to the best of my knowledge and experience, respectful of the cultural differences we find within the Kabul Multinational Brigade and within Afghanistan," he added.

Soldiers from Canada, France, Germany and Italy were on hand to serve in an honour guard for the ceremony.

Other nations represented in the KMNB include a number that have traditionally been unfriendly to one another, such as Albania, Croatia, Bulgaria and Turkey.

The departing Devlin said he would take many fond memories home to Canada, but also some sad ones, such as the deaths of Short and Beerenfenger.

Lacroix said he didn't know whether the KMNB would continue raids to rid Afghanistan of drug smugglers and terrorists.

Last week, Canadian troops raided a compound in Kabul, seizing guns, drugs and money from suspected terrorists.

It was the first offensive action the troops had taken since arriving in Afghanistan last August, and marked a dramatic change from the passive street patrols the soldiers had grown used to.

Lacroix said the KMNB was ready "to assist the security institutions in Kabul to act in direct action if necessary."

In the longer term, Canada is only committed to keeping 2,000 troops in Afghanistan until August.

Defence Minister Pratt confirmed Canada is talking with NATO to continue on in some capacity, although his generals are saying Canada's forces are stretched to the limit.

"We're not going to be going bck to Afghanistan with some 2,000 troops as of August, but having said that, we're not completely tapped out either."

CTV's Steve Chao contributed to this report.