Andrew Glen from County Antrim is reunited with daughter Victoria, 3.

Thirty-three soldiers from the Royal Irish Rangers who guarded 16 Air Assault Brigade headquarters during the Gulf conflict flew into RAF Aldergrove near Belfast on Friday.

Family and friends were there to greet the troops, whose headquarters are at Portadown, County Armagh.

During the war they had earned huge respect from the Regular Army for the vital security work they carried out.

Professionalism

Lieutenant Colonel Andrew McCord, commanding officer of the Royal Irish Rangers, said officers had been unable to distinguish between full-time and TA soldiers during the war.

In a tribute, he said: "I have received numerous correspondences from those that came in contact with my soldiers during the war and everyone of these praised them for their performance.

"I think these comments show the professionalism, ability and character of our TA soldiers, who in very difficult circumstances have proven themselves more than capable.

"The defence platoon have demonstrated that TA soldiers can be used to reinforce the Regular Army and that their standard of training allows them to do that job well."