James Aguirre feels for his baby’s movement as he says goodbye to his wife, Lupe, who is 8 months pregnant. Photo by Chris Stone
Most other sailors and Marines had taken their place on board the vessel, but a few couples relished their last loving moments together.
The couple kissed repeatedly and he began to loosen his hand grip and move toward the ship.
“I have to go now,” he told his wife. But again he returns to her and they hug, kiss and hang on for one more moment.
He walks away and she cries.
More than 4,500 sailors and Marines from the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit were bid farewell as they left for the Western Pacific and Middle East.
For families of the USS Harpers Ferry, USS Boxer and the USS New Orleans, it was a emotionally rough morning, but for many it was part of a predictable routine as they bid farewell to their loved ones, some of whom were beginning an ninth deployment.
All family members said deployments don’t get easier with the repeated partings, but they are proud that their loved ones are serving their country.
Family members also said this deployment is a little harder because there loved ones already were gone recently for training exercises.
Bonnie Eastwood said of her granddaughter on the female sailor on her first deployment, “We’re proud, but kind of sad. We are grateful to have a granddaughter who is brave and supporting our country.”
Treva Smith agreed, “I’m very nervous but proud of their service to their country.”
“Everyone should serve their country,” said Smith who served three deployments of her own in the Army.
Asked what they had on their minds this morning, sailors said their families and their safety while they are gone was the biggest concern; otherwise, they were excited about their new journeys.
What will they miss the most in San Diego? Home cooking was mentioned by many.
“The waves,” said Scott Loyden, “and second is beer.” He jokingly lists his girlfriend, C.J. Wessel, almost last, but before his truck.
She laughed.
Others, of course, will miss more significant events such as a baby’s birth, first words and walking for the first time.
But families members look forward to hearing from them when they reach their first port.
The Boxer group consists of the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans and amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry.
“The Boxer ARG, 13th MEU team has truly excelled in their preparation for deployment,” said Capt. Keith Moore, commander of Amphibious Squadron One. “The sailors and Marines of the ARG/MEU team are well trained and ready to deploy in support of all missions.”
The sailors and Camp Pendleton-based Marines passed four major training exercises in preparation for heading to sea, the Navy said.
The “Wildcards” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23, based at Naval Air Station North Island, will supply three MH-60S Knighthawks and their crews for the deployment.
The USS Boxer is named after His Majesty’s Brig Boxer, a British vessel captured off the coast of Maine in 1813 during the War of 1812. The USS New Orleans is named after the city in Louisiana and the War of 1812 battle that took place there.
The USS Harpers Ferry is named after a raid by abolitionist John Brown on an arsenal in 1859 in the run up to the Civil War. Many of the raiders were killed, and Brown was convicted and hanged.
The vessels last deployed in August 2013, returning the following April.
Elijah Fimbres, 9, waves goodbye to his father, Jesus, a cook aboard the USS Harpers Ferry, which left San Diego Friday morning. Photo by Chris Stone
James Aguirre feels for his baby’s movement as he says goodbye to his wife, Lupe, who is 8 months pregnant. Photo by Chris Stone
Marines wait aboard the USS Harpers Ferry as they get ready to deploy. Photo by Chris Stone
Camille Harrington and her two children watch as the USS New Orleans turns the corner, heading out to sea. Photo by Chris Stone
A relative waves and records the departure of the USS Harpers Ferry from Navy Base San Diego. (File photo by Chris Stone)
A couple hugs before the deployment of the USS New Orleans. Photo by Chris Stone
A sailor waits on the USS Harpers Ferry as it prepares to deploy. Photo by Chris Stone
Treva Smith, her son, Donnell Jackson and his friend, Elliot Salgado spend a happy moment together before they deploy. Photo by Chris Stone
The USS Harpers Ferry heads out to seas after leaving Navy Base San Diego. (File photo by Chris Stone)
Catherine Martinez (left) and her daughter-in-law Dashia Lopez watch as the USS New Orleans is prepared to deploy. Photo by Chris Stone
The USS New Orleans pulls away from Navy Base San Diego for a seven-month deployment. Photo by Chris Stone
Warrant Officer Jessie Williams looks at his godson and says he is ready to do his part for society on his seventh deployment. Photo by Chris Stone.
Fidel Quintero holds his one-year-old daughter Eliana before deploying on the USS New Orleans. Photo by Chris Stone
Nathan, 2, went to Navy Base San Diego to say goodbye to his aunt, Crystal Castillo. Photo by Chris Stone
Jayven, 4, kisses his father, Joey Escalona, before the USS New Orleans leaves for a seven-month deployment. Photo by Chris Stone
Lupe and James Aguirre hold on to each other before his deployment on the USS New Orleans. Photo by Chris Stone
QMC Jason Lloyd and Mayra Garcia share a quiet moment together before he deploys. Photo by Chris Stone
Patrick and Dominique Davis share one last moment together before the USS New Orleans leaves for a seven-month deployment. Photo by Chris Stone
Families line up along the dock as the USS New Orleans prepares to deploy. Photo by Chris Stone
Jason Powell spends some final moments with his eighth-month-old son, Adagio, before deploying for seven months. Photo by Chris Stone
Alexander Leinbach and his wife, Sheryl, spend a quiet moment together before he deploys for seven months. Photo by Chris Stone
Navy personnel detach a rope anchored on the dock just before departure. Photo by Chris Stone
A sailor gets in one more cellphone call before deploying with the USS New Orleans. Photo by Chris Stone
The USS New Orleans heads out to sea as it pulls away from Navy Base San Diego. Photo by Chris Stone
A mother with an infant waves goodbye as the USS New Orleans pulls away from Navy Base San Diego. Photo by Chris Stone
Liz Young is comforted after she bids her husband goodbye. Photo by Chris Stone
Sailors and Marines space themselves while lining up on the USS New Orleans. Photo by Chris Stone
Navy personnel look down at relatives and waves before the USS New Orleans leaves San Diego. Photo by Chris Stone
The USS Boxer, an amphibious assault ship, leaves Navy Base San Diego for an approximate seven-month deployment. Photo by Chris Stone
Monique Jones watches as her husband, James, deploys. She and her husband face deployments at different times. Photo by Chris Stone
Diane Zuniga reacts to seeing her brother-in-law on the deck of the USS New Orleans. Photo by Chris Stone
Col Anthony Henderson, commander of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, (left) and Capt. Keith Moore, commander of the Amphibious Squadron One, meet with the media. Photo by Chris Stone
Catherine Martinez, next to Dashia Lopez, expresses her sadness as her son, Alton Lopez, leaves for deployment. Photo by Chris Stone
Catherine Martinez reacts to the departure of the USS New Orleans pulls away from the port. Photo by Chris Stone
Liz Young hangs on to her husband, Jeremy, just before he boards the USS New Orleans to being a 7-month deployment. Photo by Chris Stone
James Aguirre salutes in front of his ship during the national anthem before the deployment began Friday. Photo by Chris Stone
