Navy
GalleryWelcome home: USS Carl Vinson back in San Diego after 9-month deployment
Stars and Stripes
August 18, 2025
Sailors reunite with family and friends on the pier at Naval Air Station North Island after the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson returns to San Diego from a nine-month deployment on Aug. 14, 2025. (Elizabeth Grubbs/U.S. Navy)
The USS Carl Vinson has returned to San Diego after a nine-month deployment to the Western Pacific and Middle East.
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier conducted missions in the U.S. 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations with U.S. allies and partners, including freedom of navigation operations and multinational exercises, according to a service news release.
Family and friends welcomed theirs sailors home Thursday.
Sailors reunite with family and friends on the pier at Naval Air Station North Island on Aug. 14, 2025. (Elizabeth Grubbs/U.S. Navy)
Electronics Technician 2nd Class Kenneth Davis, of San Jose, Calif., shares the “first kiss” with his partner on the pier at Naval Air Station North Island on Aug. 14, 2025. (Elizabeth Grubbs/U.S. Navy)
Operations Specialist 1st Class Sharee Scantling, of Beaufort, S.C., shares the “first hug” with her children on the pier at Naval Air Station North Island on Aug. 14, 2025. (Elizabeth Grubbs/U.S. Navy)
Electronics Technician 2nd Class Kenneth Davis, of San Jose, Calif., shares the “first kiss” with his partner on the pier at Naval Air Station North Island on Aug. 14, 2025. (Elizabeth Grubbs/U.S. Navy)
Sailors reunite with family and friends on the pier at Naval Air Station North Island on Aug. 14, 2025. (Elizabeth Grubbs/U.S. Navy)
Sailors reunite with family and friends on the pier at Naval Air Station North Island on Aug. 14, 2025. (Elizabeth Grubbs/U.S. Navy)
Sailors reunite with family and friends on the pier at Naval Air Station North Island on Aug. 14, 2025. (Elizabeth Grubbs/U.S. Navy)
“I am immensely proud of every member of our team who professionally executed the mission and will now be able to reunite and spend well-earned time with family and friends,” said Rear Adm. Amy Bauernschmidt, commander of Carrier Strike Group 1.
The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group joined warships from Japan and South Korea for a four-day exercise in the East China Sea in March. The Carl Vinson also worked alongside the USS Harry S. Truman in the Middle East, conducting strikes against Iran-backed Houthi targets in Yemen during Operation Rough Rider.
“From high-profile evolutions to routine operations, their unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence ensured the ship remained ready and effective. It’s an honor to return home with such an exceptional crew,” said Capt. Joshua Wenker, the Vinson’s commanding officer.