On February 23, 2024 the San Diego Council’s Home Coming Committee joined family and friends in greeting the Sailors and Marines attached to USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) on its return to homeport from its deployment at Naval Air Station North Island.  USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70) is the third Nimitz-class aircraft carrier in the United States Navy. She is homeported at 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 1 and host to Carrier Air Wing Two.   The USS CARL VINSON Carrier Strike Group departed San Diego on October 12, 2023 to participate in and support numerous bilateral on multinational maritime exercises in the Indo-Pacific region. They sailed more than 36,000 nautical miles with 6,000 sorties. They conducted joint forces exercises with the U.S. Joint Forces: Marines, Army and Air Force, as well as Naval Special Warfare operators.  The group took part in several maritime exercises that included working along side Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Republic of Korea and Singapore.

Rear Admiral Carlos Sardiello, CSG-1 commander, said  “During the last four months, we routinely flew and sailed anywhere international law allows to assure Americans, allies and partners of our commitment to bolstering regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.”  Adm Sardiello thanked the Navy League for its support and participation in the homecomings of CARL VINSON and its Strike Group.  Welcome Home CARL VINSON!  Well done to our Homecoming & Operations Chair; Jay Rindler and this team!

On February 21, 2024 the San Diego Council’s Home Coming Committee joined families and friends in greeting over 400 Sailors attached to USS PRINCETON (CG 59) return to homeport from its overseas deployment.  USS PRINCETON 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 thirteenth ship of its class, and the eighth equipped with the MK41 Vertical Launch Missile System.

USS Princeton was attached to USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1.  The strike group departed San Diego on October 12, 2023 to participate in and support numerous bilateral on multinational maritime exercises in the Indo-Pacific region. They sailed more than 36,000 nautical miles with 6,000 sorties. They conducted joint forces exercises with the U.S. Joint Forces: Marines, Army and Air Force, as well as Naval Special Warfare operators.  The group took part in several maritime exercises that included working along side Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Republic of Korea and Singapore

Rear Admiral Carlos Sardiello, CSG-1 commander, said  “During the last four months, we routinely flew and sailed anywhere international law allows to assure Americans, allies and partners of our commitment to bolstering regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.”  Adm Sardiello thanked the Navy League for its support and participation in the homecomings, both at the Princeton arrival and the Vinson arrival.

Welcome Home PRINCETON!  Well done to our Homecoming & Operations Chair; Jay Rindler and this team!

On February 12, 2024 the San Diego Council’s Homecoming Committee joined 400 family and friends to welcome home USNS MERCY and her crew of 800 from its overseas Indo-Pacific deployment.

USNS MERCY is the lead ship of her class of hospital ships in non-commissioned service with the U.S. Navy that is 894ft long, with a beam of 106ft.  On 12 June 1974, ship was originally laid down as a San Clemente Class Oil Tanker; SS WORTH launched.  On 20 July 1985 she was launched, renamed and converted to a hospital ship, and placed in service on 8 November 1986.  Her crew compliment is 61 civilians and 1,214 military during full operating status and has a capacity of 1,000 patient beds.

She is the third US Navy ship to be named for the virtue mercy.  In accordance with the Geneva Conventions, Mercy and her crew do not carry any offensive weapons, though defensive weapons are available. Her primary mission is to provide medical and surgical services to support Marine Corps Air/Ground Task Forces deployed ashore, Army and Air Force units deployed ashore, and naval amphibious task forces and battle forces afloat. Secondarily, she provides mobile surgical hospital service for use by appropriate US Government agencies in disaster and humanitarian relief, and limited humanitarian care incident to these missions and to peacetime military operations.  USNS MERCY is homeported in San Diego, is normally in reduced operating status. Her crew remains a part of the staff of Naval Medical Center San Diego until ordered to sea, at which time they have five days to fully activate the ship to a NATO Role III Medical Treatment Facility. The only higher level being onshore fixed facilities outside the theater of operations.  Like most USNS ships, mariners from the US Navy’s Military Sealift Command are responsible for navigation, propulsion, and most deck duties on board.  MERCY is as of 2012 part of MSC’s Service Support Program. The “Medical Treatment Facility”, or hospital on the ship, is commanded by a captain of the Navy Medical Corps or Navy Nurse Corps.  Welcome back home to San Diego!  Well done to our Homecoming & Operations Chair Jay Rindler and his team.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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!

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.

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!