USS McFaul sailors return home

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - After nine months at sea, hundreds of sailors were reunited with their families Sunday when the USS McFaul pulled into port at Naval Station Norfolk.

The Guided-missile destroyer and its crew deployed February 26th and spent 281 days at sea in support of counter-piracy and maritime security missions. The crew participated in the attack of the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, which meant staying at sea well past its scheduled return date.

The deployment earned them the honor of flying the Homeward Bound Pennant, which the Navy authorizes after a ship has spent 270 or more uninterrupted days at sea.

For each sailor who has completed the full 270 days onboard, a foot of fabric is added to the pennant.  McFaul's pennant measured just under 200 feet long. Upon arrival in Norfolk, each McFaul Sailor will receive a piece of the pennant. 

The sailors successfully traveled 55,000 nautical miles during their deployment. They visited Gaeta, Italy; Port Louis, Mauritius; Port Victoria, Seychelles; and Koper, Slovenia.