VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WVEC) — Nearly 400 sailors aboard the USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) returned home from deployment.
The Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship arrived at Joint Base Little Creek-Fort Story on Tuesday morning.
During their six-month-long deployment, the team operated in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. They conducted maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.
The team "Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group" is comprised of three ships: USS Oak Hill, USS Iwo Jima, and USS New York. Altogether, there are 4,500 sailors and Marines on board the vessels, but on Tuesday with a first hug, first kiss, and new babies in hand, loved ones from across the East Coast welcomed USS Oak Hill’s crew home.
Commander Philip Knight, the Commanding Officer of the USS Oak Hill, said it was a "phenomenal deployment, phenomenal team and just excited to be home."
Petty Officer Nicholas Cumberbatch said, "It (deployment) was hard, but we made it though. I’m glad we made it through."
Cumberbatch also added, "If I can compare it (returning home) to anything in the world, I feel like I just won the Super Bowl, and I scored the winning touchdown. I’m so glad to be back."
Sailors families agree. Cumberbatch’s mother said, "I’m elated, OK? Oh my God!"
#13NewsNow USS Oak Hill is pulling into JEB Little Creek Fort Story. pic.twitter.com/wzUy2RSLbD