NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. – Many family members and friends are gathering at Naval Station Mayport, anxious for the arrival of the USS Simpson from a six-month deployment.
More than 200 Sailors on board USS Simpson (FFG-56), an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, along with HSM 46 Detachment 8 will return to Naval Station Mayport Thursday morning.
The sailors were deployed for six months to the 6th Fleet area of operation in support of NATO Operation Active Endeavor.
Simpson deployed with the MQ-8B Firescout, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, which is utilized to support theatre security cooperation.
Her next deployment is scheduled for the end of 2014.