Yes, very much in the minority
People did get to stay in their base or the country where they were based, but in many cases they were in regions that were considered as 'unpopular choices' with the rank and file. Great if that where you live, but not always a guarantee.
There's always going to be a case of 'I know someone who knows someone' who has stayed in his UK base since day dot in somewhere as big as FR. I was there for quite some time and in my experience it was very rare. Most people did get back to where they needed to be eventually. In some cases it takes years. Lots of people just leave because of the uncertainty and tension it creates.