CAMP DOUGLAS, Wis. (AP) - The smell of green grass and humidity were just some of the things Minnesota National Guard troops appreciated as they stepped off a plane in central Wisconsin after serving more than a year in Iraq.

"It's indescribable," said Spc. Anthony Ghylin of Blaine. "This has been a figment of my imagination since our tour was extended."

A charter DC-10 carrying about 200 Minnesota troops touched down at 10 a.m. at Volk Field in central Wisconsin. It was the first of three flights scheduled to arrive Tuesday. The soldiers are among about 2,600 members of the Minnesota National Guard 1st Brigade Combat Team.

The troops are part of the "Red Bulls" and about 90 percent of the brigade is expected to be back in the Midwest by the end of the week. On Tuesday, soldiers filed off the plane and went to a hangar to turn in their weapons.

Sgt. Mike Neunsinger of Hillsboro, N.D., a member of the Brigade Combat Team, said the tour of duty was stressful.

"I'm sure I will feel it was rewarding down the road, but right now I think we're just happy to be done with it and in one piece," he said.

The troops will spend about a week at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin where they'll undergo medical testing, counseling and other processing, before being reunited with their families.

Most of the troops are from Minnesota - and some were clearly glad to be back in the U.S.

"The first blast of humid air and the smell of grass was such a blessing," said medic Melissa Meger of Mankato.