Gallery: USS Carney heroes return to Mayport after historic 7-month deployment

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Sailor hugging his children.

MAYPORT, Fla. – More than 500 people went to Naval Station Mayport Sunday morning to welcome the heroes aboard the USS Carney who returned after a dangerous and historic seven-month deployment in the Middle East.

According to the Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, the USS Carney saw the most combat during its deployment than any Navy ship since World War II. The ship left Mayport on Sept. 27, 2023. Ten days later, Hamas attacked Israel, putting the Middle East at war.

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Families lined up on the dock early Sunday, eagerly waiting to welcome and embrace their loved ones aboard the ship.

And then, around 9:30 a.m., the moment they all had been waiting for finally arrived -- the moment when they were able to hug their heroes again.

Scroll through the photo gallery above to see some of the best moments of the USS Carney’s homecoming.

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About the Authors

Marcela joined News4JAX in 2023. She grew up in Mexico and eventually moved to California to pursue her dream of becoming a journalist. Now, she is a proud San Diego State University alumna who has many years of experience in TV and digital journalism.

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