NORFOLK, Va. - The USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) returned to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story on Tuesday.
Nearly 400 Sailors were aboard, returning after serving in the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (IWO ARG).
The regularly scheduled deployment lasted six months with maritime security work in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
"Yeah, we`re very excited for her to come home. We want to wrap our arms around her," said Kathy Woodworth, who's daughter, Emily Haley, was on her first six-month deployment.
Woodworth and her husband traveled from New York to see their daughter's return.
When Haley got off the ship, there were smiles and tears.
"It feels amazing. I`m so excited. It`s been a long six months but I`m happy to be home," she told News 3.
USS Oak Hill Commanding Officer Philip Knight called the deployment 'phenomenal'.
The other IWO ARG ships, USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and USS New York (LPD 21), are slated to return to Naval Station Mayport in Florida on Thursday.
