NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman returned to Norfolk on Wednesday.
The ship came back to Naval Station Norfolk after spending about three months in the European theater of operations, according to the U.S. Navy.
The crowds on Wednesday weren’t as big as previous homecomings, and it wasn’t the first deployment for Crystal Bailey’s family.
“He was deployed for the first two births, and that was definitely challenging,” said Bailey, referring to their children. “We’re always so grateful, just thankful to see him again.”
But one mom, Clarice Floyd, drove from South Carolina to see her son return from overseas.
“I’m anxious I thought it was going too slow,” said Floyd. “Honey, All I want to do is see him, put my arms around him and give him a great big hug.”
After taking a few photos of the boat coming in, Floyd added that ”We have a date, where he’s taking me out to dinner tonight”
During the deployment, the Forrest Sherman was part of various maritime activities to support Naval Forces Europe and NATO Allies. The Forrest Sherman operated under the direct command of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22.
“We were helping sort and distribute clothing, care packages, etc. to Ukrainian refugees in Gdansk, Poland,” ship Cmdr. Greg Page said. “It’s great to see the engagement of the crew, not only are they listening to me, but they get it, but the significance of being to go out and help, it absolutely characterizes who this crew is. They want to help.”
The Forrest Sherman left Norfolk in January while it was in the sustainment phase of the Optimized Fleet Response Plan, which means it was ready for “contingency tasking before entering a maintenance phase,” the Navy said.
“It was a great couple months working out there. We were in charge of the North Sea, the North Atlantic, we did operations through the Baltic with our Nato Allies and Partners” said Commodore Milciades Antonio “Tony” Then. “Working with the Polish Navy, the Danish Navy, the Royal Navy, even the French Navy.”
The Forrest Sherman is the first in a series of ships to come back to Naval Station Norfolk and Naval Station Mayport this month.
BELOW: USS Forrest Sherman homecoming: Bailey family reunion
BELOW: USS Forrest Sherman homecoming: Floyd family reunion
