JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Naval Station Mayport has welcomed a new addition.
One of the Navy’s latest guided missile destroyers, USS John Basilone arrived at its new homeport on Sunday afternoon.
The ship’s arrival was met with cheers from family members and Navy personnel who gathered to celebrate the occasion.
Commander Carne Livingston shared that preparing the vessel and its crew for operations was a long process, adding that many crew members have been with the ship for a few years.
“For the last two years our mission has been to assemble, organize and train the crew for operations at sea, and ultimately combat operations,” Livingston said.
The USS John Basilone was commissioned on November 9,in New York City.
Now, with the holidays approaching, the ship’s Mayport arrival is particularly special for its crew members. For some, like Lt. Maggie Willetts, the move marks the end of extended time away from their loved ones.
“How long were you away from him?” News4JAX asked Willetts, who was reunited with her son during the celebration.
“About six months,” Willetts replied. “It felt like a deployment in some ways. I was able to visit him from time to time, but it was tough. I’m finally glad to be home so he can see the ship—he hasn’t seen it yet.”
Being reunited for the holidays is something the Bernstein family is also excited about. Corey Bernstein, who works aboard the ship, said he hadn’t seen his wife and two children in 14 months and today was exciting.
“It’s been the longest I’ve ever been without these, my babies and my baby,” Bernstein said. “It’s an absolute privilege and honor to serve for them.”
The crew’s families welcomed them with balloons and signs, creating an emotional homecoming scene on base. Commander Livingston expressed his gratitude that the timing worked out to reunite families just before Thanksgiving, making the occasion even more meaningful.
The Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer is named after Marine Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone, who received the Medal of Honor for his heroism during the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942.
He was killed in action during the Feb. 1945 invasion of Iwo Jima and was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, making him the only enlisted Marine to have both the Navy Cross and Medal of Honor.
And while a lot of people came out Sunday to greet the crew coming off the ship, John Craft came to greet the ship.
He previously worked aboard the USS Basilone DD-824.
He started working on that ship in June 1969 and he said it changed his life.
“That was the ship that set the tone for career if you will,” Craft said. “Because that first command sets the tone and after that, I decided to stay.”
On Monday, another ship will arrive at Mayport, the USS Nantucket. The recently commissioned Littoral Combat ship was commissioned on Nov. 16 in Boston. News4JAX will be at the scene for its arrival.