A military transport plane carrying seven former U.S. prisoners of war has landed at Fort Bliss in Texas.

The plane touched down to cheers from flag waving family and friends, a week after the seven were rescued in Iraq.

Thousands of well wishers burst into cheers as a C-17 landed on a wind swept runway. Two servicemen emerged from a hatch on the plane, holding an American flag and waving to the crowd as the plane taxied.

Five of the former POW's are stationed with the U.S. Army's 507th Maintenance Company. Two other Apache helicopter crewmen, who are with the First Cavalry Division, will continue to their home base at Fort Hood.

The seven were rescued April 13th after Iraqi captors abandoned their posts ahead of advancing American troops.