EVERETT — With rain clouds threatening, the USS Ingraham came home Thursday morning.
Family members lined the pier, straining to see loved ones as the ship slowly docked at Naval Station Everett after seven months at sea.
Wearing dress blues, many of the Ingraham’s sailors stood at attention on deck, sneaking quick waves to spouses, children and others. A chilly, damp wind filled the ship’s battle ensign — a massive American flag. It’s bright red and white stripes stood out boldly against the ship’s flat gray paint.
Mooring ropes were thrown from ship to pier and tied down. A gangway was lowered onto the frigate’s rear deck, which also serves as a helipad.
Seaman Gary Luu was first off — a privilege decided by lottery.
The 29-year-old hurried across the pier to his wife, Ashley Arciniega-Luu, and their three children, including 7-month-old Kai. Luu had been at sea since the boy was 2 weeks old.
“I got to see him born, hold him, spend a little time with him. Next I knew, I was gone,” he said. “I owe it all to my wife — three kids all alone. She’s the one who keeps me going.”
It was Luu’s first and last deployment on the Ingraham. The Oliver Perry-class frigate is scheduled to be decommissioned on Nov. 12.
The ship had been at sea for seven months, helping catch drug runners in waters around Central and South America as part of Operation Martillo — Spanish for “hammer.” The operation has been going on since 2012 and has involved forces from more than a dozen countries.
Launched in 1989, the frigate is the fourth Navy ship named for Capt. Duncan Ingraham, who served several decades in the U.S. Navy before resigning his commission for a post in the Confederate Navy.
Dan Catchpole: 425-339-3454; dcatchpole@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @dcatchpole.
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