Welcome Home – Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 462

On November 12, 2023 the San Diego Council’s Homecoming Committee greeted the Marines attached attach to HMH 462 with over 100 family and friends in attendance. HMH 462 is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron operating CH-53E Super Stallion heavy transport helicopters. The squadron, known as the “Heavy Hitters”, is based at
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW). Well done to our Homecoming & Operations Chair; Jay Rindler and Bob Berman and their Committee Team Members!

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Welcome Home – USS AUGUSTA (LCS 34)

Welcome Home – USS AUGUSTA (LCS 34)

On October 30, 2023 the San Diego Council’s Homecoming Committee welcomed the newest Littoral Combat Ship; USS AUGUSTA to its new homeport; Naval Base San Diego in greeting over 50 Sailors with over 100 family and friends in attendance. USS AUGUSTA is an Independence Class high-speed cruise ship that is 418 ft long, with a beam of 104 ft, and a draft of 13 ft. Their displacement is 3,228 tons when fully outfitted and is able to reach sustainable speeds of about 50 knots with a range of 10,000 nautical miles. The ship’s warfare capabilities include; missile defense system installed on the hangar roof, combined with sensors of the Phalanx 1B close-in weapon system with an 11-missile launcher for the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile. These Independence-class ships also have an integrated LOS Mast, Sea Giraffe 3D Radar and SeaStar Safire FLIR. The vessels have an Interior Communications Center that can be curtained off from the rest of bridge instead of the heavily protected Combat Information Center found on other Navy warships. Welcome Home CHARLESON! Well done to our Homecoming & Operations Chair; Jay Rindler and Bob Berman and special thank you to Commanding Officer; CDR Christopher Polnaszek.

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Welcome Home – USS DECATUR (DDG 73)

Welcome Home – USS DECATUR (DDG 73)

On June 28, 2023 the San Diego Council’s Homecoming Committee joined family and friends in welcoming over 300 Sailors attached to USS DECATUR (DDG 73) return to homeport from its seven-month overseas deployment to U.S. 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleets. USS DECATUR is a Arleigh Burke class Guided Missile Destroyer that is 505 ft long, with a beam of 66 ft, and a draft of 31 ft that is equipped with the MK41 Vertical Launch Missile System. Welcome Home DECATUR! Well done to our Homecoming & Operations Chair; Jay Rindler and his team.

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Welcome Home – USS CHARLESTON (LCS 18)

Welcome Home – USS CHARLESTON (LCS 18)

On June 14, 2023 the San Diego Council’s Homecoming Committee greeted over 50 Sailors attached to USS CHARLESTON (LCS 18) with over 100 family and friends in attendance. USS CHARLESTON (Gold Crew) returned to its homeport from its 26 month overseas deployment with a rotating crew while deployed to the Indo Pacific region without having the ship return to San Diego. This marks the first family and friends ship celebration on the pier since the post covid pandemic. USS CHARLESTON is an Independence Class high-speed cruise ship that is 418 ft long, with a beam of 104 ft, and a draft of 13 ft. Their displacement is 3,228 tons when fully outfitted and is able to reach sustainable speeds of about 50 knots with a range of 10,000 nautical miles. The ship’s warfare capabilities include; missile defense system installed on the hangar roof, combined with sensors of the Phalanx 1B close-in weapon system with an 11-missile launcher for the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile. These Independence-class ships also have an integrated LOS Mast, Sea Giraffe 3D Radar and SeaStar Safire FLIR. The vessels have an Interior Communications Center that can be curtained off from the rest of bridge instead of the heavily protected Combat Information Center found on other Navy warships. Welcome Home CHARLESON! Well done to our Homecoming & Operations Chair; Jay Rindler and Bob Berman!

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Welcome Home – USS MAKIN ISLAND (LHD 8)

Welcome Home – USS MAKIN ISLAND (LHD 8)

On June 8, 2023 the San Diego Council’s Home Coming Committee joined family and friends to welcome home USS MAKIN ISLAND Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) return to homeport San Diego from its 8 month deployment overseas. The ship’s ARG included; USS ANCHORAGE (LPD23), USS JOHN P. MURTHA (LPD 26), Marine Corps 2nd Battalion, Combat Logistics Battalion 12, Tactical Squadron 11, and Helicopter Combat Squadron 11. Well done to our Homecoming & Operations Chair Jay Rindler and his team.

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Welcome Home – Spring 2023; Honor Flight San Diego

Welcome Home – Spring 2023; Honor Flight San Diego

Homecoming & Field Operations Chairman Jay Rindler and Navy League Member Renee Robles joined family and friends in welcoming 90 World War II, Korean and Vietnam War Veterans during the Spring Operation Honor Flight return to San Diego, California on Sunday, April 30, 2023. Well done to our Homecoming Committee and Youth Program Sea Cadets in attending this special event.

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Welcome Home – USS ASHLAND (LSD 48)

Welcome Home – USS ASHLAND (LSD 48)

On April 20, 2023 the San Diego Council’s Home Coming Committee joined family and friends to welcome home USS ASHLAND to its newest homeport San Diego, California, coming from Sasebo, Japan. USS ASHLAND is a Whidbey Island class Dock Landing Ship that is 610 ft long, with a beam of 84 ft and a draft of 21ft. USS ASHLAND was commissioned on 9 May 1992 in New Orleans, LA. Her crew compliment is 22 officers and 391 enlisted. Welcome to San Diego! Well done to our Homecoming & Operations Chair Jay Rindler and his team.

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Welcome Home – USS SANTA BARBARA (LCS 32)

Welcome Home – USS SANTA BARBARA (LCS 32)

On January 17, 2023 – USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) arrived in San Diego from Alabama. During SANTA BARBARA’s trip it included passage through the Panama Canal with port visits in Panama and Mexico. The San Diego Council’s Homecoming Committee participated in the meet and greet with over 100 family and friends on the pier who reunited with their Sailors. San Diego Council provided “Welcome Home” signs customized for all the guests of the crew. The ship is tentatively scheduled to be commissioned in Ventura, California on April 1, 2023 and homeported at Naval Base San Diego. The Ship’s Commissioning Sponsor; Navy League Santa Barbara Commissioning Committee Chair, Kevin McTague, and Ship’s Sponsor, Lolita Zinke were on hand for the ship’s arrival.

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Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 (HMH-361)

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 (HMH-361)

Welcome Home – Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 (HMH-361)

On November 14 and October 12, 2022 the San Diego Council’s Operation
Welcome Home Committee greeted 50 Marines attached attach to HMH 361 with over 100
family and friends in attendance. HMH 361 is a United States Marine
Corps helicopter squadron consisting of CH-53E Super Stallion transport
helicopters. The squadron, known as the “Flying Tigers”, is based at
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and falls under the command
of Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
(3rd MAW). Well done to our Homecoming & Operations Chair; Jay Rindler!

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USS FITZGERALD (DDG 62)

Welcome Home – USS FITZGERALD (DDG 62)

On August 23, 2022 the San Diego Council’s Home Coming Committee joined families, friends and shipmates past and present with Plankowners in attendance in greeting over 300 Sailors attached to USS FITZGERALD (DDG 62) return to homeport from its seven-month overseas deployment to U.S. 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleets. USS FITZGERALD is a Arleigh Burke class Guided Missile Destroyer that is 505 ft long, with a beam of 66 ft, and a draft of 31 ft. She is the twelveth ship of its class, and is equipped with the MK41 Vertical Launch Missile System. Welcome Home FITZ! Well done to our Homecoming & Operations Chair; Jay Rindler

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USS MOBILE BAY (CG 53)

USS MOBILE BAY (CG 53)

Welcome Home – USS MOBILE BAY (CG 53)

On August 11, 2022 the San Diego Council’s Home Coming Committee joined families and friends in greeting over 400 Sailors attached to USS MOBILE BAY (CG 53) return to homeport from its overseas deployment.

USS MOBILE BAY is a Ticonderoga Guided Missile Cruiser that is 567 ft long, with a beam of 55 ft, and a draft of 34 ft. She is the seventh ship of its class, and the second equipped with the MK41 Vertical Launch Missile System. Welcome Home Mobile Bay! Well done to our Homecoming & Operations Chair; Jay Rindler!

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USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72)

USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72)

Welcome Home – USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72)

On August 11, 2022 the San Diego Council’s Home Coming Committee joined family and friends in greeting the Sailors and Marines attached to USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) on its return to homeport from its deployment at Naval Air Station North Island.

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) is the fifth Nimitz-class aircraft carrier in the United States Navy. She is the second Navy ship to have been named after the former President Abraham Lincoln. Her home port is NAS North Island, San Diego, California; she is a member of the United States Pacific Fleet. She is administratively responsible to Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific, and operationally serves as the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 3 and host to Carrier Air Wing Nine. Including a special welcome home to; HSC-14, HSM-71, VRM-30 and VMFA-314. Welcome Home LINCOLN! Well done to our Homecoming & Operations Chair; Jay Rindler!

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Welcome Home – USS JACKSON (LCS 6)

USS JACKSON

On August 6, 2022 the San Diego Council’s Home Coming Committee greeted over 40 Sailors attached to USS JACKSONS (LCS 16) Blue Crew Detachment at its return to homeport from its deployment. The Blue Crew Detachment arrived at the San Diego International Airport with over 50 family and friends in attendance. USS JACKSON Blue Crew supports and operates an Independence Class high-speed cruise ship that is 418 ft long, with a beam of 104 ft, and a draft of 13 ft. Their displacement is 3,228 tons when fully outfitted and is able to reach sustainable speeds of about 50 knots with a range of 10,000 nautical miles. The ship’s warfare capabilities include; missile defense system installed on the hangar roof, combined with sensors of the Phalanx 1B close-in weapon system with an 11-missile launcher for the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile. These Independence-class ships also have an integrated LOS Mast, Sea Giraffe 3D Radar and SeaStar Safire FLIR. The vessels have an Interior Communications Center that can be curtained off from the rest of bridge instead of the heavily protected Combat Information Center found on other Navy warships. Welcome Home JACKSON Blue Crew Detachment! Well done to our Homecoming & Operations Chair; Jay Rindler!

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Welcome Home – USS TULSA (LCS 16)

On July 30, 2022 the San Diego Council’s Home Coming Committee greeted over 40 Sailors attached to USS TULSA (LCS 16) with over 100 family and friends in attendance. USS TULSA Return To Homeport from its overseas deployment marks one of the first family and friends celebration on the pier since the post covid pandemic. USS Tulsa is an Independence Class high-speed cruise ship that is 418 ft long, with a beam of 104 ft, and a draft of 13 ft. Their displacement is 3,228 tons when fully outfitted and is able to reach sustainable speeds of about 50 knots with a range of 10,000 nautical miles. The ship’s warfare capabilities include; missile defense system installed on the hangar roof, combined with sensors of the Phalanx 1B close-in weapon system with an 11-missile launcher for the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile. These Independence-class ships also have an integrated LOS Mast, Sea Giraffe 3D Radar and SeaStar Safire FLIR. The vessels have an Interior Communications Center that can be curtained off from the rest of bridge instead of the heavily protected Combat Information Center found on other Navy warships. Welcome Home TULSA! Well done to our Homecoming & Operations Chair; Jay Rindler!