NORFOLK, Va. (WVEC) -- The USS Mahan, the guided-missile destroyer with nearly 300 crew members, returned to Naval Station Norfolk on Tuesday after a 7-month deployment.
During it's deployment, the Mahan traveled more than 50,000 miles under the leadership of Cmdr. Mare Davis, the ship's commanding officer.
While at sea, the crew safely conducted 24 Strait of Hormuz transits, 25 replenishments-at sea, 50 weapon exercises, 53 small boat operations and 80 flight operations.
The USS Mahan is pulling in! pic.twitter.com/jhzl3tvtIa
— Elise Brown (@13EliseDBrown) June 20, 2017
Mahan was deployed on November 19, 2016 in support of theater security cooperation efforts in the 5th fleet area of operations.
The 5th fleet of operation is made up of the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, and the Arabian Sea
"I couldn't be more proud of the crew-- they set the standard of excellence and established a great reputation for themselves out here," Davis said. "The success they achieved were impressive, and the crew overcame every challenge they met with poise and precision."
While in the waterways of the Middle East, the crew participated in a tri-lateral defense exercise with the Iraqi and Kuwaiti Defense forces. Crews were also able to practice core skills, which served as an opportunity to grow and foster partnership and cooperation between the two nations.
Mahan also participated in naval exercises and operations with France, Great Britain, Australia, Denmark, and other NATO partners.
While in theater, the ship made post visits in Portugal, Greece, Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, and Spain.
Mahan is the 5th ship named after Rear Adm. Alfred Thayer Mahan, a naval theorist on sea power whose book influenced naval strategy to this day.
