Hundreds of family and friends have gathered at Garden Island this morning to welcome home Australian sailors back from Iraq.
HMAS Stuart has sailed back into Sydney Harbour this morning, on board 185 sailors who've spent the past six months serving in Iraq.
The wharf here at Garden Island is packed with family members waving Australian flags - amongst the crowd are two babies who today will meet their fathers for the first time.
HMAS Stuart has been aiding in Iraq's reconstruction - protecting oil terminals and training the country's navy.
Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon has thanked the sailors saying they've done Australia proud.
“Their work has been wonderful, we pay tribute to them, we thank them for their sacrifices, their hard work, their skill and their commitment.
“Today we thank their family, friends and loved ones who indeed themselves have made a huge sacrifice, and have been so important to the morale of the ship’s company.”