NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), which has spent more than eight months away in the Mediterranean, returned home, and thousands of local sailors are back with their loved ones tonight.
The USS Ford’s original six-month deployment was extended by more than two months because of the war between Hamas and Israel.
But Wednesday morning, thousands of excited family members and friends arrived at Naval Station Norfolk to see the Ford — the Navy’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier on its first full deployment and peacekeeping mission overseas — pull up to the pier and tie up, their emotions strong as they reunited with their deployed loved ones.
Wednesday was the fourth day in a row for Naval homecomings associated with the GRFCSG. The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG) consists of Carrier Strike Group 12 staff, Gerald R. Ford, Carrier Air Wing 8, Destroyer Squadron 2 staff and units, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy and the Information Warfare Commander. In total, the GRFCSG deploys with more than 6,000 sailors across all platforms.
Chopper 10 caught this video of the ship’s return.
It may be difficult to find them at first, but once they spot you, it can be difficult holding back the smiles, and sometimes, the tears. So how did it feel to return home?
“Incredible, incredible, absolutely incredible,” said Chase Cannon. “Words can’t put … how happy I am to be home.”
Homecomings are usually emotional, but this one seemed more so, given it was delayed by an extra 76 days following the conflict in Israel and set sail to operate in the Mediterranean Sea. Overall, the Ford sailed more than 83,000 nautical miles.
“It’s been rough,” said Jayme Harkin. “I mean we weren’t expecting it. So, I think that’s even worse. When you’re expecting it, you can kind of plan. But the unknown is difficult.”
Some were coming home to new family members.
Jana Dillon found out she was pregnant one week after her husband, Raymond, deployed. Wednesday was her due date, but little Eleanor couldn’t wait.
“She’s five days old today,” Jana Dillon said. “But we were really hoping that we could make it, like crossing our fingers, crossing our legs, but she had her own plans.”
“It’s a shock. It’s almost unrealistic that it happened,” Raymond Dillon said.Theirs is a growing family, which he said makes deployment more difficult.
“Having a family, this time, actually,” Raymond Dillon said. “My last one, I didn’t have kids. So, the hardest thing was having kids and being away from them.”
While the ship was deployed in the Mediterranean the strike group participated in exercises that increased NATO capability. The deployment was extended 76 days following the Israel-Hamas conflict and operated in the Mediterranean Sea.
While in the Mediterranean, they intercepted several attack drone and missiles.
“But I couldn’t be prouder of both what we did as mariners and aviators, but also as human beings,” said Rear Adm. Erik Eslich, commander of CSG 12.
“Morale was high. We had some tough times, but we all came together and got through it,” Cannon said.
Now, they’re safely home — and switching gears. Maintenance work will now be done on the Ford before the next training phase.
“This was our first year together, so we spent most of it apart, but yeah, we’re going to start our future now,” said Kaitlyn Daniels.
