EVERETT — It may have rained at their departure, but there was sunshine on the USS Lincoln Strike Group’s return.
After a seven-month tour that included the Persian Gulf, the Lincoln Strike Group has come home.
The USS Lincoln, USS Momsen and USS Shoup returned Sunday after supporting military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. They were greeted by nearly 5,000 family members and friends who descended upon Naval Station Everett.
For those who were there, it was a homecoming to remember.
“When Brandon comes home from a long tour like this it’s like Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year’s and my birthday all in one,” Jessica Brooks of Marysville said. “I’m thankful he’s
home. We’re all thankful they are all home, finally.”
Brooks is a Navy wife. That’s not just a marital arrangement, but in her words a “rear-admiral” job responsible for keeping the homefront secure while her husband helps keep the world secure.
Married for four years, she still isn’t sure what her husband does on the USS Lincoln.
“It’s embarrassing that I don’t know, but it’s not important. What is important is that I’m here waiting for him,” she said.
The crowd surged toward the USS Lincoln when the gangplank was finally lowered and an enthusiastic voice came across a loudspeaker, announcing “Carrier Lincoln departing.”
Sailors disembarked quickly. Each stopped and came to attention at the foot of the gangplank to deliver a smart salute to the ship and her command before setting foot on dry land.
Homecomings are full of naval traditions. “Tigers,” as the Navy refers to them, are civilian family members that are allowed to sail with their Navy family member during the last leg of the journey back to home port — in this case, from Hawaii.
Tigers are easy to spot among the dress uniforms. They bring aboard all sorts of electronic toys — computer monitors, Guitar Hero boxes — and lend a festive air.
As civilians disembark, sailors walk up the gangplank to go aboard. Replacement crews are ready to take over for USS Lincoln crew members so they can enjoy their two-week liberty.
According to Lt. Cmdr. Kathy Sandoz, it is a well-deserved vacation for the 3,000 sailors.
“Aircraft operations supporting military units on the field were nearly nonstop with over 7,100 sorties in Iraq and Afghanistan,” she said.
The carrier with its complement of F/A-18s warplanes flew multiple missions for U.S. and international security forces.
The USS Momsen and USS Shoup were deployed with the French navy in the Gulf of Oman, where the pair of destroyers “kept the peace.”
“Pirates are rife in the area, and attacks on oil platforms risk the area’s infrastructure. With coalition partners, we are able to give stability to the region,” Sandoz said. “The more stable the region, the more business will be attracted to the area. Security and safety are paramount.”
The USS Lincoln is scheduled to depart to Naval Station Bremerton in April for maintenance — including a really big oil change.
Reporter Justin Arnold: 425-339-3432 or jarnold@heraldnet.com.
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