NORFOLK -- Nearly 2,000 sailors aboard the ships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group are less than a week from returning to their homeport.
USS Bataan, USS Mesa Verde and USS Whidbey Island will return Tuesday, February 7 after a 10 and a half month deployment supporting operations in the U.S. Navy's 5th and 6th Fleets areas of responsibility. U.S. Fleet Forces says it's the longest U.S. Navy ship deployment in nearly 40 years.
The ARG surged more than three months ahead of schedule and deployed on March 23, 2011 in support of NATO-led operations in Libya.
The Bataan and Mesa Verde will return to Naval Station Norfolk. Whidbey Island will return to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story.
During the deployment, the Bataan got a new commanding officer. Captain Erik Ross took over for Captain Steven Koehler in a scheduled change of leadership.
Sailors and Marines assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit will be offloaded just before the ships return to Norfolk.
"I could not be prouder of our servicemen and women. Their performance, commitment to excellence, and flexibility during this deployment has truly been exceptional," said Captain Steven Yoder, ARG commander.
