NORFOLK, Va. — USS Vella Gulf went underway on Saturday, March 13, but it returned to Norfolk the next day for technical reasons, according to Navy officials.
The U.S. 2nd Fleet Spokesperson issued the following statement:
“After getting underway, USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) returned to Naval Station Norfolk this afternoon for technical assessment of the repairs made to the ship’s fuel oil tank. More information will be provided once it becomes available.”
It was part of the Eisenhower Strike Group which left for deployment on Thursday, Feb. 18. However, the Navy reported on Feb 26 that the Vella Gulf was returning to Norfolk after a fuel oil leak was reported in one of the ship's engineering spaces.
At the time, a spokesperson for 2nd Fleet said: "After technical evaluation, it was determined repairs would need to be made in port."
After inspection upon the ship's return to Norfolk, it was determined that the leak was caused by corrosion within the specific fuel tank in question.
They returned to their homeport in Norfolk last August. There are more than 6,000 sailors part of the carrier strike group.