Loved ones welcome home USS Arleigh Burke

Posted on: 10:07 am, July 31, 2012, by Holly Henry, updated on: 04:59pm, July 31, 2012

It’s a homecoming for Hampton Roads as the USS Arleigh Burke returned from deployment.

Families waved goodbye to their sailors on a cold morning six months ago.

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Family and friends of Sailors aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) watch as the ship pulls into Naval Station Norfolk. The ship returned home after completing a six-month deployment providing air defense support in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brittney Cannady/Released)
Family and friends of Sailors aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) watch as the ship pulls into Naval Station Norfolk. The ship returned home after completing a six-month deployment providing air defense support in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.(U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brittney Cannady/Released)
Guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) is assisted by tugboats as the ship returns from deployment. Arleigh Burke returned home after completing a six-month deployment providing air defense support in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brittney Cannady/Released)
At Naval Station Norfolk, Operations Specialist 3rd Class Ricardo Gallegos of the guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) shares a kiss with his girlfriend, Laura Wasden for the first time after returning from deployment. The ship returned home after completing a six-month deployment providing air defense support in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brittney Cannady/Released)
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Today is the day they’ve been waiting for – where the 300 men and women finally come home.

Aboard the USS Arleigh Burke, our sailors provided air defense support in the Mediterranean Sea.

There, they worked closely with the USS The Sullivans, the USS Cole, and the guided missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf.

And whenever they’re in waters off the coast of Africa, the sailors were on the lookout for pirates.

While on deployment, 52 sailors recieved their Surface Warfare Specialist pins, five sailors were promoted to Senior Chief Petty Officer, and 22 sailors reenlisted – giving their families back here at home one more thing to be proud of.

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