About 300 Marines with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing returned to San Diego from Afghanistan Wednesday.
The Marines are all based in Miramar, and were welcomed Wednesday afternoon by loved ones on the air station.
While Wednesday's is the biggest homecoming San Diego has seen all year, the day is also a reminder of the service-members who won't be returning. On Tuesday, NBC News reported that nearly 2,000 Americans have died in Afghanistan.
The toll includes several more recent San Diego-based Marines, who were killed by Afghan police, a growing problem as the U.S. withdraws troops.
However despite the sobering news, friends and family of the returning service-members were grateful to have their Marines home.
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