Guards Return
California Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Michael Caudillo, above, hugs his wife, Bianca, after returning Sunday from Camp Bucca, Iraq, near the Kuwaiti border. (Stefano Paltera / For the Times)
Spc. Jesus Vega kisses wife Elsa while their 8-month-old daughter, Kimberly, sleeps. Vega is a member of Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 160th Infantry Regiment, that arrived back at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos after serving a 12-month tour of duty in Iraq. (Stefano Paltera / For the Times)