Whidbey Island, WA -- It was an emotional homecoming for some aviators at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Saturday morning.

Five jets from the VAQ-135 Black Ravens came home to anxiously awaiting family members. They've been deployed for eight months on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, and flew missions in Asia and the Middle East.

Lt. Commander Silas Bouyer came home on leave when his son was born a month early. He had to rejoin his squadron a few weeks later. His wife Sally and their two older children have been counting down the days until his homecoming.

"It's a relief that he's safe. He's home. We're all going to be together sleeping under the same roof. All of us, finally," said Sally Bouyer.

Sunday, the Black Ravens' 180 support personnel are scheduled to come home. They'll be aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, which will arrive in Bremerton.