The USS Carl Vinson CVN 70 aircraft carrier and other ships from the strike group arrived back to San Diego after an almost six month deployment to the Western Pacific (WESTPAC).

Commander Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, Rear Adm. James W. Kilby spoke to media gathered for the Carl Vinson homecoming at Naval Air Station North Island.

“The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group met the tasking of its leaders and fulfilled its mission to reassure our allies and partners of the U.S.’s commitment to the Indo-Asia Pacific region,” said Kilby. “I can tell you, our partner nations were very happy with the flexibility, capability and commitment that our Carrier Strike Group brought; none of which is possible without San Diego’s Sailors and America’s sons and daughters who safely and successfully completed the mission.”

“I couldn’t be more proud of what we were able to provide to the Strike Group Commander and to our allies,” said Capt. Douglas Verissimo, commanding officer of Carl Vinson. “But what gets me up every day are the 5,000-plus Sailors who make this all work. They are a true representation of America’s finest and we are happy to be back home in San Diego.” – US Navy

During the deployment port calls were made in Fiji, Guam, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Saipan, Singapore and the Solomon Islands.

Featured image of The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), front, and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) in the western Pacific. The U.S. Navy has patrolled the Indo-Asia-Pacific routinely for more than 70 years promoting regional peace and security by U.S. Navy photo, Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sean M. Castellano