Naval Station Everett Celebrates Return of Ships

EVERETT, Wash. (NNS) -- USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and USS Shoup (DDG 86) arrived home Aug. 8 at Pier 1 on Naval Station Everett after successfully concluding a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean.

Both ships were part of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike group in support of maritime security operations and the global war on terrorism.

Eager for the arrival of the ships, an estimated 7,000 people crowded the pier to see their loved ones return home.

“I’m proud of my son and can’t wait to see him," said Grant Elliot, father of Interior Communications Electrician 3rd Class Matthew Elliot. "He followed a family tradition, the third generation of Sailors.”

Yeoman 2nd Class Jesse Armitage, a native of Vernal, Utah, was happy just to be home.

“Homecoming is the best experience of the deployment," Armitage said. "It’s nice to share it with your loved ones.”

Lincoln, with embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 and Shoup, completed a western Pacific deployment in support of U.S. policy in the Pacific region. The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike group participated in many exercises during the deployment, including exercise Valiant Shield and exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC).

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