Aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) welcomed home 54 of its Sailors who returned to Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton (NBK), Dec. 19, after helping USS George Washington (CVN 73) shift homeports from Yokosuka, Japan, to Norfolk, Virginia.

Capt. John Ring, commanding officer, Capt. John Boone, executive officer, and fellow Sailors from Nimitz greeted the returning crew members with a homecoming event at NBK.

"The cruise was a lot of fun," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class Michael Sloginski. "We got to see everyone around the Navy helping each other out."

The Sailors, sent from various departments aboard Nimitz, were gone for more than three months.

Being underway with George Washington (GW) not only provided support for the GW crew while shifting homeports, it allowed the Nimitz Sailors to earn underway qualifications they wouldn't be able to get while Nimitz is in the shipyard.

"I thank them for their flexibility in order to support this mission and help out our other ships and shipmates," said Senior Chief Personnel Specialist Joseph O'Malley, a Nimitz coordinator for the deployment.

For more news from USS Nimitz (CVN 68), visit www.navy.mil/.