Updated at 1:30 P.M., Sunday May 14
Thousands of Navy sailors and Marines will return to San Diego on Monday after a seven-month deployment.
The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group is scheduled to arrive at Naval Base San Diego after a deployment to the Pacific, Middle East and the Horn of Africa.
Sailors and Marines attached to the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are headed home, according to Navy officials.
The group is comprised of the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island, the amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset, the amphibious dock landing ship USS Comstock and the embarked forces of 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
During the deployment, Ospreys from the Makin Island were involved in a Navy SEAL raid against terrorists in Yemen.
More than 1,100 sailors and 1,500 Marines are aboard the Makin Island; 375 sailors and 700 Marines aboard Somerset; and 410 sailors and 400 Marines aboard the Comstock.
“This crew should feel extremely proud of what they accomplished over the last seven months. Right from the start, they conducted relevant, real-world operations in direct support of our country’s national security goals,” said Makin Island Commanding Officer Capt. Mark Melson.
“Throughout deployment, our sailors and Marines worked night and day to stay at the top of their game, ready to answer the call.”
Marines from the 11th MEU, Amphibious Squadron Five, the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 21, and detachments from Assault Craft Unit 5, Fleet Surgical Team 5, Tactical Air Control Squadron 11, and Beachmaster Unit 1 also will be arriving stateside.
“This team can hang their hats on a job well done, and now it’s time to focus on being back home and reuniting with our families and loved ones,” said Capt. Melson.
City News Service contributed to this article.
