After seven months away from home, the USS Fort McHenry returned from deployment Thursday.
WJCT News partner News4Jax reports the ship, along with more than 300 sailors, arrived at Naval Station Mayport Thursday morning, where family and friends were waiting to welcome their loved ones home.
Sailor Shelby Nastase said her top priority after getting off the ship: food.
“I definitely want to go out to eat. I definitely miss American cuisine. Ship food is OK, but home food is better," Nastase said.
According to the Navy, the sailors worked in maritime security operations in both Europe and the Middle East.
During this mission, the ship was part of the more than 4,500 sailors and Marines serving in the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit.
An expanded version of this story that also includes additional photos and video is at News4Jax.
