Navy
GalleryCarrier Air Wing 8 returns to Virginia after 8-month deployment with USS Gerald R. Ford
Stars and Stripes
January 15, 2024
Lt. Andrew Cannata becomes emotional as he holds his 2-month-old baby girl for the first time with his wife Carissa at Naval Air Station Oceana on Monday, Jan. 15, 2023, after coming home from an eight-month deployment with the USS Gerald R. Ford. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot)
The Ragin’ Bulls and the Blacklions are back in Virginia.
Aviators from squadrons VFA-37 “Ragin Bulls” and VFA-213 “Blacklions” with Carrier Air Wing 8 reunited with loved ones during an emotional return home to Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Va., on Monday.
The squadrons were deployed with the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group for eight months — including three extensions — to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa areas of operations.
The Ford left its homeport in Norfolk, Va., on May 2 for a routine deployment, relieving the USS George H. W. Bush, Stars and Stripes previously reported.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the carrier to the eastern Mediterranean following Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Its deployment was extended twice more as part of efforts to keep Hezbollah and other Iran-backed proxies from widening the conflict.
Kendall Warner with The Virginian-Pilot contributed to this report.
F/A-18 Super Hornets attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37, “Ragin Bulls,” fly in formation during their homecoming flight. VFA-37 returned to Naval Air Station Oceana on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, following a scheduled deployment with Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12, Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa areas of operations. (Megan Wollam/U.S. Navy)
An aviator assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37, “Ragin Bulls,” hugs a family member during a homecoming celebration. (Megan Wollam/U.S. Navy)
F/A-18 Super Hornets attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213, “Blacklions,” fly in formation during their homecoming flight. (Megan Wollam/U.S. Navy)
Family members wait for the return of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213, “Blacklions,” during their homecoming flight to Naval Air Station Oceana, Jan. 15, 2024. (Megan Wollam/U.S. Navy)
Aviators assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213, “Blacklions,” walk on the flightline after their homecoming flight to Naval Air Station Oceana, Jan. 15, 2024. (Megan Wollam/U.S. Navy)
An aviator assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213, “Blacklions,” hugs a loved one after their homecoming flight to Naval Air Station Oceana, Jan. 15, 2024. (Megan Wollam/U.S. Navy)
An aviator assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213, “Blacklions,” reunites with his family during a homecoming celebration onboard Naval Air Station Oceana, Jan. 15, 2024. (Megan Wollam/U.S. Navy)
Aviators assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 87, “Golden Warriors,” reunite with loved ones after their homecoming flight to Naval Air Station Oceana, Jan. 15, 2024. (Megan Wollam/U.S. Navy)
An aviator assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 87, “Golden Warriors,” reunites with his wife after their homecoming flight to Naval Air Station Oceana, Jan. 15, 2024. (Megan Wollam/U.S. Navy)
Aviators assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31, “Tomcatters,” walk on the flightline after their homecoming flight to Naval Air Station Oceana, Jan. 15, 2024. (Megan Wollam/U.S. Navy)
Aviators assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31, “Tomcatters,” greet loved ones on the flightline after their homecoming flight to Naval Air Station Oceana, Jan. 15, 2024. (Megan Wollam/U.S. Navy)