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Photo by Paul Bibeau. The U.S.S. Harry S. Truman spent 286 days at sea. It returned to Norfolk Monday.
The U.S.S. Harry S. Truman sailed into Naval Station Norfolk Monday after 286 days at sea, visiting more than a dozen countries and conducting exercises in the eastern Mediterranean as Russia invaded Ukraine.
According to Defense Department documents, the Truman will go into an overhaul in Portsmouth within the next year. The overhaul is scheduled to end in September 2023, but Navy officials did not say when it would start.
After a cluster of suicides on the Norfolk-based U.S.S. George Washington, Navy officials acknowledged the possible connection between shipyard work and mental health issues, including suicide.
The Navy is investigating the issue.
Sailors on the Truman wave to the people ashore. The carrier took part in Operation Neptune Shield 22 in June. According to a Pentagon statement, the operation demonstrated NATO’s ability to coordinate multiple carrier strike groups and other unites among 25 different allied nations. Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said defense officials planned the exercise before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Rising tensions in Europe made defense officials consider, and then decide against, canceling the exercise.
The carrier’s battle flag flaps in a mild breeze as the ship docks. The flag design is based on the artillery regiment President Harry Truman commanded during World War I. About 5,000 people work on the ship and its air crews, many of whom arrived home last week.
Amanda Small waits with C.J. and Carter Small for her husband, Ensign Cameron Small. The Navy estimated 10,000 people came to the port to see the ship return. “We are very excited,” Small said. “It's been a long time coming. They got extended a couple of times, so these boys are very excited to see their dad.”
