Fire Controlman (Aegis) 2nd Class Michael Pagano of Hamburg, N.Y., assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58), embraces his daughter upon Laboon’s return to homeport. (Matthew Jackson/U.S. Navy)

The USS Laboon returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., on Sunday after a challenging nine-month deployment to hostile waters providing deterrence and defense to U.S. partners in the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, according to a U.S. Fleet Forces Command news release.

In support of freedom of navigation, Laboon accompanied the USS Eisenhower — which returned to Norfolk in July — and countered multiple attacks carried out by Houthi terrorists in the Red Sea.

“This team demonstrated time and again just how capable our warships are and that we have the best trained most professional warfighters in the world ready to bring the fight to any enemy,” said Cmdr. Eric Blomberg, Laboon’s commanding officer.

Laboon also independently participated in Operation Prosperity Guardian to protect international shipping lanes in the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandeb and Gulf of Aden.

Family and friends wait to reunite with Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58), as Laboon returns to homeport. (Matthew Jackson/U.S. Navy)

Fire Controlman (Aegis) 2nd Class Michael Pagano, from Hamburg, New York, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58), shares the first kiss with his wife upon Laboon’s return to homeport. (Matthew Jackson/U.S. Navy)

Lt. j.g. Shane Marczak, from Wyoming, R.I., assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58), embraces his wife upon Laboon’s return to homeport. (Matthew Jackson/U.S. Navy)

Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, (USFFC), salutes the crew as he walks on board the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58). (Matthew Jackson/U.S. Navy)

Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, speaks to the crew after the USS Laboon returned to its homeport. (Matthew Jackson/U.S. Navy)

Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, presents the Bronze Star medal to Cmdr. Eric Blomberg, commanding officer of the USS Laboon after returning to homeport. (Matthew Jackson/U.S. Navy)

Seaman Richard Allmon, from Carthage, N.Y., looks on as the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58), transits toward pier 5 during their return to homeport. (Matthew Jackson/U.S. Navy)

Rear Adm. Kavon Hakimzadeh, commander of Carrier Strike Group 2, was on the pier to welcome home the crew alongside family and friends who reunited with their sailors.

“We are honored to welcome back the men and women of USS Laboon who have proven their proficiency and resolve throughout a demanding deployment,” Hakimzadeh said. “From safeguarding critical maritime routes to deterring threats in volatile regions, Laboon’s crew has exemplified the very best of our Navy’s tradition of excellence. We are deeply proud of what they have accomplished, and we thank each sailor and their families for their unwavering dedication to our nation’s security.”

During their 5th Fleet operations, Laboon also rescued three mariners in distress in the Gulf of Aden who had been stranded adrift at sea for 10 days.

“This deployment really embodied why we train so hard and every Sailor stepping up to fulfill their role in a challenging environment,” said Chief Petty Officer Rickey Gisclair.

Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58), is guided by a tugboat during it’s return to homeport on Sept. 1, 2024. ( Matthew Jackson/U.S. Navy)