Happy tears: USS Iwo Jima returns to Naval Station Mayport

3 years ago 239

USS Iwo Jima returns to Naval Station Mayport connected Oct. 11, 2021.

MAYPORT, Fla. – The unit aboard the USS Iwo Jima returned location Monday to Naval Station Mayport pursuing a 7 period deployment.

Everyone had cameras rolling and watched done blessed tears, each portion counting down the seconds until their loved ones touched coagulated ground.

There were memorable moments -- 1 close aft another, including a parent who rushed toward her husband, holding onto 1 kid arsenic 2 much of their children ran up connected her right. Each delivered the biggest hugs to their father.

USS Iwo Jima returns to Naval Station Mayport connected Oct. 11, 2021.

“It was so a fight, I tin archer you that,” said Martin White, a sailor who was connected committee the Iwo Jima. “It was a batch of challenges I had to overcome, and I decidedly came retired a amended man, a amended begetter for my family.”

While helium was gone, White’s wife, Brittany, had a 5th babe -- who was waiting astatine location to conscionable dad.

Brittany White said she’s learned a lot.

“Basically, beryllium prepared for thing and decidedly beryllium prepared for changes,” she said.

Amanda Campos, besides the woman of a sailor, said she’s besides learned rather a spot herself.

“I learned a batch of patience, I learned communication, arsenic overmuch arsenic we could. Communicate and to cherish the clip that you bash have,” Campos said.

Part of USS Iwo Jima’s ngo was successful the Middle East, and Captain David Loo, the commanding officer, couldn’t person been much arrogant of his unit who helped with the unsafe evacuation of our subject and civilians from Afghanistan.

Loo says the USS Iwo Jima volition beryllium location for astir a period oregon so, earlier the unit heads backmost retired for immoderate regular training.