A US Navy destroyer just came home after 332 days at sea. Here is what really happens to the ship, the sailors, and the families on the pier before, during, and after a homecoming.
The guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul returned to Norfolk, Virginia, after almost eleven months deployed, taking the long route around Africa. But what does a warship go through in its final days at sea? How do sailors get ready to step back on land? And what does the Navy do with the ship once the lines are tied? In this video, we follow the full cycle using real footage from the homecomings of USS McFaul, USS Benfold, and USS Gridley and naval operations.
– How a destroyer prepares for arrival: cleaning, painting, uniforms, and the sea and anchor detail
– The tense final hours before reaching the pier
– The families waiting on shore, and what that day looks like for them
– How a ship is brought in and tied to the pier
– What happens after the crew walks off: leave, maintenance, and repairs
– Why longer deployments put more strain on ships and sailors
Source: The Navy Channel
