Navy
GalleryUSS Comstock returns to San Diego after 4-month deployment conducting joint operations in Indo-Pacific
Stars and Stripes
October 9, 2024
Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Carief Smith receives a mooring line as the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45) returns to homeport Naval Base San Diego Oct. 8, 2024. (Kelby Sanders/U.S. Navy)
The USS Comstock returned to Naval Base San Diego on Tuesday after a four-month deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.
“The sailors aboard Comstock performed their duty in an exemplary manner to support tasking in U.S. 7th Fleet,” Cmdr. Byron Stocks, commanding officer of Comstock, said in a service news release. “The mission execution afforded the opportunity to demonstrate joint force capability.”
Comstock and its more than 400 sailors — exemplifying the ship’s motto, “Teamwork-Drive-Courage” — participated in multiple exercises displaying interoperability and the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Family and loved ones welcomed the sailors back to their homeport as they returned from their short, but successful deployment.
U.S. Navy sailor Christian Najarro’s family welcomes him home as the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45) returns to homeport Naval Base San Diego, Oct. 8, 2024. (Kelby Sanders/U.S. Navy)
Rear Adm. Ted LeClair, deputy commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, gives a fist-bump to Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Ajetokunbo Akinmoluwa after the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45) returned to homeport Naval Base San Diego, Oct. 8, 2024. (Kelby Sanders/U.S. Navy)
Rear Adm. Ted LeClair, deputy commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, shakes hands with Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Rider Morrissey after the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45) returned to homeport Naval Base San Diego, Oct. 8, 2024. (Kelby Sanders/U.S. Navy)
Rear Adm. Ted LeClair, deputy commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, shakes hands with Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Matthew Wattara afte the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45) returned to homeport Naval Base San Diego, Oct. 8, 2024. (Kelby Sanders/U.S. Navy)
Rear Adm. Ted LeClair, deputy commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, shakes hands with Cmdr. Byron Stocks, commanding officer of Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45) as Comstock returns to homeport Naval Base San Diego, Oct. 8, 2024. (Kelby Sanders/U.S. Navy)
Rear Adm. Ted LeClair, deputy commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, speaks with Engineman 2nd Class Shelby Smith after the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45) returned to homeport Naval Base San Diego, Oct. 8, 2024. (Kelby Sanders/U.S. Navy)
Rear Adm. Ted LeClair, deputy commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, addresses the crew of the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45) after Comstock returned to homeport Naval Base San Diego, Oct. 8, 2024. (Kelby Sanders/U.S. Navy)
According to a news release, Comstock and its embarked units supported the America Amphibious Ready Group and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) during advanced integrated training and MEU certification as well as successfully integrating with the motorized weapons company of 31st MEU and Combat Logistics Battalion 31.
The ship also participated in Ssang Yong 24, an exercise between the Republic of Korea and the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps that has been regularly conducted since 2012. Forces from both nations conducted large-scale maneuvers from sea and air to showcase the power of the alliance and its capability to carry out combined amphibious operations.
When not at sea, Comstock sailors had the opportunity to enjoy port visits to Guam, Japan and the Republic of Korea.
The Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45) returns to homeport Naval Base San Diego, Oct. 8, 2024. (Kelby Sanders/U.S. Navy)
The Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45) returns to homeport Naval Base San Diego, Oct. 8, 2024. (Kelby Sanders/U.S. Navy)
The Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45) returns to homeport Naval Base San Diego, Oct. 8, 2024. (Kelby Sanders/U.S. Navy)
