A Navy Sailor who completed a 10-month deployment to Bahrain was reunited with his family during the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Football Championship Game in Atlanta, Dec. 3.

The SEC had coordinated the surprise reunion with assistance from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command and Naval Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center to recognize one of their Sailors who recently returned from a deployment. The SEC displayed a pre-recorded shout-out on the Georgia Dome video boards prior to being reunited with his family.

"I'm so excited to have had this chance to surprise my family," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Chris Jones, who is a Navy Reservist assigned to Navy Operational Support Center Augusta, Georgia, who has served in the Reserves for 10 years.

Jones, who hails from Augusta, Georgia, mobilized through ECRC in Norfolk and surprised his two children, father, step-mother and brother during the on-field reunion that took place during a timeout in the SEC Football Championship Game where the Alabama Crimson Tide battled the Florida Gators during the Dec. 3 game at the Georgia Dome.

Lt. Cmdr. Rich Sealy, commanding officer, NOSC Augusta, discussed the importance of family support and recognizing their contributions to support their warfighters.

"I am thrilled that PO3 Jones will get to experience this at the SEC Championship Game," said Sealy.

In any given week more than 15,000 Navy Reserve Sailors, one-quarter of the Reserve Force, are providing support to the Fleet. The Navy Reserve deliver highly trained Sailors with the capabilities, expertise and diverse skillsets that match to requirements, maximizing their impact on the mission and helping the Navy team succeed.