The first of about 900 Marines from Kane'ohe Bay who deployed to Afghanistan in June are expected to return tonight.

An advance party of about 64 Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment is scheduled to return via Delta Airlines at Honolulu International Airport at 8:41 p.m. and 9:53 p.m.

Six Hawai'i Marines were killed in Afghanistan between May and the end of September, including four from the 2nd Battalion, and two from the unit they replaced, the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment.

Marine service for Hawai'i leathernecks has meant crisscrossing Iraq and Afghanistan deployments. About 900 Marines with the 1st Battalion — which fought in the Battle of Fallujah in Iraq in 2004 — are replacing the 2nd Battalion in Afghanistan. The 3rd Battalion, meanwhile, is preparing for an Iraq tour.

The Army and Navy in Hawai'i are welcoming home troops as well.

About 15 soldiers with B Company, 214th Aviation Regiment who deployed to Pakistan for earthquake relief with four Chinook helicopters were expected back late last night. About 60 soldiers spent two months in Pakistan.

The nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Pasadena is scheduled to return this afternoon to Pearl Harbor following a six-month deployment. The crew visited ports in Yokosoka and Sasebo, Japan; Guam and Saipan.