NORFOLK, Va. — Thursday was homecoming day for sailors aboard the U.S.S. Gunston Hall. After nearly three months away, 320 sailors returned to Little Creek Naval Base.
"The weather didn't cooperate much, but we're very excited to see my husband and their family, and clearly, you can see my kids," said Navy wife, Aubrey Estabet.
The gray clouds did not stop families from welcoming loved ones home. The crew departed from Naval Station Norfolk on January 24.
"I'm very happy my husband is back," said Fabiola Cologne as she held her toddler daughter in her arms.
For 78 days, sailors participated in the Steadfast Defender 2024, NATO's largest exercise in decades. The U.S. Navy said the efforts demonstrate the bond between NATO allies in Europe and North America. Throughout the exercise, Gunston Hall sailors worked alongside 32 NATO allies.
"With over 90,000 NATO participants working across land, air, and sea to really increase NATO readiness and the scale and scope of Steadfast Defender, the Naval that increased preparedness signaled to all members of the NATO alliance that we are strong, we are united, and we are ready to defend every inch of NATO territory," said Royal Canadian Navy Rear Adm. David Patchell, vice commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet.
While families understand the task, waiting for your loved one to come home can be challenging.
"This is his first real-time going. He's always had special duty, so he's always been shoreside," said a sailor's wife, Jessica Littlegeorge.
Now, they are happy to have him back home.
"Sleeping in my own bed with my wife, [I'm] not getting rocked left and right, but other than that, [I'm] just happy to be home," said U.S.S. Gunston Hall Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Trenton Littlegeorge U.S. Navy.
The U.S. Navy said that now that sailors are back home, they will start preparing for upcoming operations and a change of command ceremony that has been scheduled for April 15.