MAYPORT, Fla. – The USS Delbert D. Black returned to Naval Station Mayport Sunday after being deployed for almost three months in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Over 300 sailors on this ship were deployed to help with deterrence efforts in that region following the outbreak of conflict in Israel.
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Sailors were greeted by their families with welcome home signs, flowers, and a lot of hugs.
“I’m feeling really happy that he’s home he missed Christmas. He missed Valentine’s so I’m just really glad he’s home right now. Despite the rain honestly,” Jannel said.
News4JAX got the chance to get some families’ reactions before their loved ones got off the ship.
“Before that, they were gone for nine months. They just got back last April. They’ve been gone a lot,” Amy said.
MORE | USS Delbert D. Black Returns to Mayport after nearly 9-month Deployment
The commander of the ship described the mission the sailors were on.
“It was a readiness mission they got us and the Sullivans, one of our sister ships out of here in Florida,” the commander said. “With everything going on in the world, we were happy to answer the call, and for lots of good reasons, they didn’t need to, it’s good to be home.”
The commander added that they had a good idea of how long they would be gone, but you never know what will happen during deployment.
“Crossing the ocean in the North Atlantic and wintertime is always sporty,” the commander said. “But we made it happen we got everyone home safe everyone we started with.”