NORFOLK, Va. — About 300 sailors are back home in Hampton Roads.
USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) arrived at Naval Station Norfolk Wednesday morning. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer is returning from a three-month deployment in the European theater of operations.
After months away at sea, signs and hugs greeted them on land.
"I haven't seen him since November which is not that long… but I'm glad to see him," said Clarice Floyd, the mother of a sailor.
Clarice is one of a few family members who stood at the port Wednesday morning. She said she thought about her son, Will, every day while away. So, she made sure to drive up from South Carolina to finally reunite with him.
"I don't care if it's only two weeks, you know, still glad to see him when you see him," she said.
The Navy said the Forrest Sherman's crew spent the last three months working to strengthen NATO alliances. The ship operated under direct command and control of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22 while on deployment. It embarked with USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) as well as with the destroyers USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) and USS Donald Cook (DDG 75).
Captain Tony Then commanded Destroyer Squadron, which supported the Sixth Fleet.
"We were in charge of the North Sea," he said. "We were in charge of the North Atlantic. We did operations in the Baltic with our NATO allies and partners."
USS Forrest Sherman Commander Greg Page said it's great to be home after an unscheduled deployment.
"Coming home and getting to highlight how hard the crew worked and just the relentless fighting spear they demonstrated to get the ship ready to go for a dynamic deployment," Page said.
While on deployment, the crew also made time to volunteer in Poland. Page said about a hundred sailors helped to sort and distribute clothing to Ukrainian refugees in Gdansk, Poland.
The ship's return is the first in a series of homecomings throughout the month of April to Naval Stations Norfolk and Mayport.