The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) arrived in Mayport, Florida, to embark friends and family members of GHWB Sailors for a Tiger Cruise, August 19-21 as it makes the transit to its homeport in Norfolk.

A Tiger Cruise is an opportunity for family and friends to see up-close what the Navy, and their Sailors do on a day-to-day basis.

Nearly 800 guests or "Tigers" arrived aboard GHWB and reunited with Sailors that they haven't seen since the ship embarked on its deployment, Jan. 21.

"These men and woman worked long hours and gave their all during our deployment," said Capt. Will Pennington, GHWB's commanding officer. "The Tiger Cruise provides loved ones the opportunity to better understand what their Sailors do on the ship and gain a new appreciation for their hard work and dedication while deployed."

GHWB events during the Tiger Cruise will include a movie and popcorn night, video and board games, an air power demonstration by the ship's embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, a sea power demonstration from USS Truxtun (DDG 103), an ice cream social, a special "Tiger" bingo and various other activities. Various religious services will be held for Sailors and Tigers alike.

The ship and its carrier strike group are transiting home from a scheduled seven-month deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

For more news from USS George H.W. Bush visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn77 or www.facebook.com/ussgeorgehwbush/.



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