Three Canadians who were badly injured by a deadly suicide bombing in Afghanistan have been brought home to Edmonton, where they were honoured with medals.

The soldiers landed at Edmonton International Airport at about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday aboard a Canadian Forces plane, and were quickly whisked away by ambulance to the University of Alberta Hospital to continue their treatment.

"It's an emotional afternoon for us," said Gen. Rick Hillier, the chief of defence staff for the Canadian Forces. "We're delighted to have our soldiers back and we're going to make sure they have the best care."

The soldiers had been undergoing treatment at a U.S. military hospital in Germany.

Pte. William Edward Salikin, who suffered a head injury from the blast, was first off the plane. The B.C. native is still under sedation, but is showing improvement, according to CTV Edmonton's Joel Gotlieb.

Cpl. Jeffrey Bailey came second. The most seriously injured of the three, Bailey is still in a medically induced coma. He has a lung infection and brain swelling, but is also showing improvement, Gotlieb said.

Master Cpl. Paul Franklin was the last to be removed from the plane. The Halifax native lost his leg in the explosion, and is also battling infection.

The car bomb that injured the soldiers also claimed the life of Canadian diplomat Glyn Berry, near Kandahar, on Jan. 15.

Hillier announced that he would be presenting medals to the injured soldiers.

"I'd like to present the General Campaign Star for Afghanistan and the Southwest Asia Service medal to our soldiers," Hillier said. "But until they're ready to get those medals from me directly, I presented it to Mrs. Franklin, I presented it to Jeff Bailey's dad and in fact to Pte. Salikin's mom."

The soldiers' familes did not speak with the media.

Prior to the flight, medical experts said that Bailey might have to stay behind until his condition improved.

But doctors determined he was stable enough to make the last flight at the last minute, Maj. Nick Withers told The Canadian Press.

"Bailey had a good night," said Withers. "His oxygen requirements went down. The pressure in the brain is abating."

"It was a very, very complex transfer from the intensive-care unit to the aircraft," Withers said. "It took a little longer than we expected but it was done in a safe and cautious manner.

"We're very pleased with how that went. Clearly, these gentlemen have incredible challenges ahead of them in their lives."

The attack took place when an explosives-laden vehicle swerved into the jeep in which Berry, 59, director of the Canadian reconstruction team in Afghanistan, was riding with the three soldiers.

Military sources told CTV News Tuesday that the bomber was an Afghan and not an outsider as had previously been suggested.

Meanwhile, Canadian soldiers operating in Kandahar continue to brave possible attacks from insurgents, venturing out to communities to maintain order.

Incoming Canadian Commander Lt.-Col. Ian Hope, who just arrived in Afghanistan with about 100 more Canadian troops, told CTV Newsnet that the soldiers will get special training to deal with the threat of suicide bombings.

"The soldiers understand the risk and the soldiers are still volunteering to come here, they still think it's worth it," he said Tuesday.