USS Sterett returns to San Diego after 9-month deployment
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- After completing nine months of being deployed overseas, U.S. Navy sailors greeted their loved ones as the USS Sterett docked at Naval Base San Diego on Wednesday.
Their reunion warmed hearts on the cool cloudy morning. Some were feeling overwhelmed with emotion.
“I’m so excited, I love you Felicia. Welcome home!” said Navy mom, Priscilla Sena.
Others were struggling to find the words.
“No words. Really amazing. Happy and relieved," added Shana Holton, another mother of a sailor.
Holton came to greet her daughter, saying they’ve never been apart for this long and she’s incredibly thankful for this reunion.
“This is her second deployment. This is a lot longer than we expected be we are incredibly proud of her. I mean so proud of her,” said Holton.
Sinthia Colon flew into San Diego from Puerto Rico to welcome her son home, and describes the worry she felt throughout his deployment, especially while he was in the Middle East.
“I felt like I wasn’t me all this time. I was somebody else, somewhere in space, figuring out how will things end?” said Colon.
Now that the wait is over and her son is home safe, she says her heart has grown.
“Very big. My heart is bigger,” said Colon.
Though the separation and uncertainty is hard on families, the mission is significant.
"Anything that a guided missile destroyer can do in this Navy, we’ve done on this nine-month deployment,” said USS Sterett Commanding Officer Kurt Albaugh.
The USS Sterett sailed through waters off the coast of Asia and the Middle East.
“We were part of operation rough rider against the Houthi rebels, engaged in combat operations to degrade their capabilities,” said Albaugh.
Albaugh’s wife says even though military families face a number of challenges during deployment, the importance of the mission makes it all worth it.
“Knowing how critical the mission they were on, they were performing, it helps keep me focused and motivated every day,” said Navy wife Mela Norman.
Life goes on at home during deployment, including big moments like the birth of Navy Commander Brandon Moody’s first son.
“It’s amazing. It’s just amazing,” said Moody, holding his son, James, for the first time ever after stepping off the ship.
“I just hoped he wouldn’t cry when I first got him, and he didn’t, so that’s a victory!” he said.
His wife, Jade Moody, added, “It was challenging, but we missed him, and he’s home now."
A crowd of loved ones were thankful for their safe return and service.
“We’re grateful to her and to all of the sailors and their families. So grateful,” said Holton.
