It was a joyous reunion Tuesday at Naval Station Mayport for hundreds of sailors aboard the USS Mason.

The USS Mason will return home Tuesday after extended combat operations over nine months.

The Mayport-based ship, USS Mason, successfully destroyed a missile launched by Iranian-backed Houthis from Yemen over the Red Sea Monday, according to the U.S. Central Command.

The Department of Defense announced the death of a sailor who was supporting operations in the Red Sea on the USS Mason.

Rebels from Yemen overnight launched a barrage of missiles and drones toward passing ships in the Red Sea, and a Mayport-based guided-missile destroyer, the USS Mason, helped fend off the attacks.

The USS Mason deployed from Naval Station Mayport Friday for the eastern Mediterranean. It’s part of an effort to deter hostile actions against Israel and an expansion of the war underway.

Mayport will be the USS Mason’s new home port. The stop is a scheduled homeport shift from Norfolk, Virginia. The sailors are expected to arrive around 8 a.m.