NORFOLK, Va. — Members of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group are happy to be coming home.
In a series of posts on the social media platform "X," numerous sailors said hi to their parents and loved ones and advised them that they were coming home.
After shipping out last October 14 and having the deployment extended twice, the Ike Carrier Strike Group -- four ships, nine squadrons, and 6,500 sailors -- spent most of the past nine months in the Middle East engaged in combat operations at a tempo not seen since World War II.
The group escorted 28 vessels, launching hundreds of missiles. Ike aircrews flew more than 13,000 sorties, accumulated more than 31,000 flight hours, and completed more than 10,000 aircraft launches and recoveries.
Now, there's just one thing left on the checklist: getting back home.
Squadrons assigned to the Eisenhower will fly in on Friday and Saturday, followed on Sunday by the return of the Ike and USS Philippine Sea.
The Ike's Commanding Office, Captain Chris "Chowdah" Hill, has repeatedly called the aircraft carrier, "the best damn ship in the Navy."
The Navy apparently agrees, awarding the Ike a combat action ribbon for performance under fire, battling Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.
USS Gravely, USS Mason, and USS Philippine Sea also received the same decoration. Also receiving the honor were the USS Thomas Hudner, USS Laboon, and USS Carney.