SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - The USS Theodore Roosevelt returned to its San Diego homeport Monday morning following a lengthy deployment to the Middle East and Asia.
The aircraft carrier/flagship of Carrier Strike Group 9 left San Diego on October 6 for a mission that included stops in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Singapore, the Philippines, Hawaii and Guam.
The carrier arrived at Naval Station North Island just after noon; the USS Bunker Hill arrived Monday morning.
Strike Group commander Rear Adm. Steve Koehler issued a statement:
“Over the past seven months, the 6,000 Sailors and Marines of the TR Carrier Strike Group have performed superbly in every mission and in every task that was asked of them. This team has embraced a culture of excellence that comes directly from their routine professional approach to everything they do. They continue to exceed expectations and set a phenomenal standard for all to emulate. I could not be more proud of them or more honored to serve with them, and it's great to be home with the family and friends that enabled them to serve so well."
Crowd becoming jubilant now that USS Roosevelt is in San Diego Harbor @10News pic.twitter.com/nvl4CH6U1u
— Travis Rice (@10NewsTravis) May 7, 2018
Hundreds of military families and friends waiting on other side of security checkpoint for USS Roosevelt to dock after seven month long deployment. @10News pic.twitter.com/lzIsLyrtmD
— Travis Rice (@10NewsTravis) May 7, 2018
Paige Shepherd got married just a few months before her husband deployed on the USS Roosevelt in October. She’s excited to see his face for the first time in 7-months and can’t wait for him to see the faces she printed. @10News pic.twitter.com/mK58ipP4YM
— Travis Rice (@10NewsTravis) May 7, 2018
Big crowd at Naval Air Station North Island waiting for return of USS Roosevelt. Roughly 5,000 Sailors and Marines coming home after 7-month deployment on the carrier. @10News pic.twitter.com/SH2eWUDSZE
— Travis Rice (@10NewsTravis) May 7, 2018
Navy officials said hundreds of sailors and Marines contributed more than 1,200 hours during 19 community service projects in the countries the strike group visited.
Additionally, officials said about 70 aircraft from the squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 flew 8,319 hours and 1,164 combat sorties and performed counterterrorism operations in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
