JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The USS Sioux City returned to Mayport Friday morning from deployment, and just in time for the holidays!
A total of 106 sailors returned home after working to get drugs off the streets in Central and South America. The sailors seized more than 1 thousand pounds of cocaine.
The USS Sioux City was on deployment for 4 months, traveling over 14,000 nautical miles.
It was AD3 Ryder Clark’s first deployment.
“Super glad to be back for Christmas, Clark said. “It was fun, that’s for sure. Great experience.”
9-year-old Grace Anne welcomed her brother home on her birthday.
“I was like, oh my gosh, what’s about to happen?! Am I going to start crying, ya know? Cuz I didn’t know if it was him or not!” Grace Anne said.
This is definitely a holiday they will forever cherish.
When a group of Mayport sailors heard Grace Anne turned 9 today, they immediately sang to her for her birthday 🙂. Grace Anne is welcoming home her oldest brother. He’s one of 106 sailors aboard the #USSSiouxCity❤️❤️❤️❤️.@wjxt4 pic.twitter.com/pw7YP41YSr
— WJXT Ashley Harding (@WJXTAshleyH) December 17, 2021