USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Sailors returned home to Bremerton, Washington, Dec. 18, in time for the holidays.

Getting underway, Nov. 22, John C. Stennis Sailors conducted at-sea training, celebrated Thanksgiving underway, and participated in National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day events in Hawaii, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor and Oahu.

"The crew did a fantastic job at sea and in port," said Capt. Greg Huffman, John C. Stennis' commanding officer. "Leaving home can be hard, especially around this time of year, but everybody worked hard and I am proud of what we accomplished."

John C. Stennis pulled into Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Dec. 2. During the port visit, the ship hosted more than 2,200 visitors, including retired Army National Guard Col. Donald "Doc" E. Ballard, a Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient; retired Air Force Col. Bud Anderson, a three-time ace during World War II; Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, veterans, and their family and friends while in port, Dec. 3-8.

John C. Stennis Sailors also attended the Pearl Harbor Invitational basketball tournament in Bloch Arena on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to watch teams from California, Hawaii, Princeton and Seton Hall play, Dec. 6-7.

Donning their dress white uniforms, John C. Stennis Sailors joined other active duty service members and veterans in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade, Dec. 7, in Honolulu, before the ship departed Hawaii, Dec. 8.

On the return trip, John C. Stennis Sailors continued to build and maintain technical and operational proficiency through drills and exercises, and completed carrier qualifications with Carrier Airwing Nine. The ship's medical department also passed an individual medical readiness inspection with a 97.9 percent.

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