NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The last of the ships with the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group are home.
On Jan. 20, the USS Normandy was met with big smiles and cheers as it pulled into Naval Station Norfolk.
The arrival of the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser closes out a week of homecomings from units of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group. They first deployed in May 2023, and were set to return by November.
However, due to the Israel-Hamas war, their duty was extended an extra 76 days.
After more than eight months of waiting for her husband to return home, one woman told 10 On Your Side the sight of him left her speechless.
“I’m — I’m just excited I have no words,” she said.
The USS Normandy made many stops including in Sweden and Croatia.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.