Capt. Dillon Craig and his wife, Mesa, embrace upon his return from deployment. Photo by Chris Stone
Jambalaya and gumbo were on the table for Marine Cpl. Tyler McIntyre as he returned Sunday to San Diego from a seven-month deployment to the Persian Gulf and Pacific.
His mother, Tracey Liberto, joined families of Marines that landed in their MV-22B Ospreys.
One by one, as many as nine of the vertical-takeoff aircraft arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Marines deplaned and were greeted by relieved families in a hangar.
“This is amazing,” said Capt. Donny Berton, greeted by his wife, Cecelia, and year-old son, William.
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Year-old William Berton grins as his father Capt. Donny Berton returns from deployment. Photo by Chris Stone Families gather at a Miramar hangar to greet their returning loved ones. Photo by Chris StoneAn Osprey crew heads to a hangar to meet family at Miramar. Photo by Chris StoneA Marine captain is welcomed home from deployment at Miramar. Photo by Chris StoneCapt. Donny Berton and his wife, Cecelia, embrace upon his return. Photo by Chris StoneCpl. Tyler McIntire is welcomed home by his mother, Tracey Liberto. Photo by Chris StoneLance Cpl. Brooke Jalbert (left) and Lance Cpl. Linda Riley return from a 7-month deployment. Photo by Chris StoneLance Cpl. Linda Riley dances as she checks in at Miramar. Photo by Chris StoneOsprey crew members arrive at Miramar after a 7-month deployment. Photo by Chris StoneMarine Jacob Hermelink is enthusiastically welcomed home by his mother. Photo by Chris StoneGeorge Gomez greets his girlfriend, Anna, and his unborn child. Photo by Chris StoneDakota embraces her father, Sgt. Major Charles Latour. Photo by Chris StoneDakota. 3, embraces her father, Sgt. Major Charles Latour. Photo by Chris StoneMesa Craig jumps in the arms of her husband, Capt. Dillon Craig, upon his return from deployment. Photo by Chris Stone Summer Greenwood greets her husband, J.D. Greenwood, upon his return. Photo by Chris StoneCapt. Connor Higgins is hugged by his wife, Debbie, upon his return from deployment. Photo by Chris StoneOsprey crew members deplane at Miramar after completing a 7-month deployment. Photo by Chris StoneCapt. Connor Higgins get a welcome-home hug from his father, Ron. Photo by Chris StoneWhite Knight patches and coins were on display at the homecoming. Photo by Chris Stone
Families said they were anxious to have their Marine loved ones back into their arms and were ready to give them food and beer. Tables were decorated in the hangar and snacks were available to the military members upon arrival.
A larger group from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are scheduled to arrived at the base this week.
The Marines and sailors took part in a joint and combined naval expeditionary exercise combining multiple elements of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force alongside the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, according to its Facebook page.
The 165 squadron conducted operations with the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group and Essex Amphibious Ready Group and conducted joint operations in the Philippine Sea as part of continuing training operations in the Indo-Pacific.
On Valentine’s Day, the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group returned to Naval Air Station North Island.
