USS San Antonio returns to Norfolk after supporting US Southern Command missions

Families prepare as the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio returns to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., April 28, 2026. (Derek Cole/U.S. Navy)

The USS San Antonio on Tuesday returned to its homeport of Norfolk, Va., concluding its deployment as part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group.

The ship was among the first naval assets to support Operation Southern Spear and operated in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations, according to a service news release. U.S. 4th Fleet is the maritime component of U.S. Southern Command, responsible for naval operations throughout the Caribbean, Central America and South America.

“The performance of our Navy-Marine Corps team during Operation Southern Spear was nothing short of exceptional,” said Capt. Tom Uhl, San Antonio’s commanding officer.

After eight and a half months at sea, sailors were welcomed home by friends and family. Uhl said the families were their “greatest source of excitement to return home.”

Lt. Brandon Foor, assigned to USS San Antonio, greets his wife on the pier upon the ship’s return to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., April 28, 2026. (Derek Cole/U.S. Navy)

A sailor greets family after the USS San Antonio returns to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., April 28, 2026. (Derek Cole/U.S. Navy)

Engineman 2nd Class Isaiah Wells greets his daughter upon the ships return to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., April 28, 2026. (Derek Cole/U.S. Navy)

USS San Antonio returns to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., April 28, 2026, following an eight-and-a-half-month deployment. (Derek Cole/U.S. Navy)

“The most important, key enabler in the resilience and efficacy of our force is without a doubt the Navy and Marine Corps families who support us on the homefront,” said Uhl.

San Antonio departed on Aug. 14, 2025, alongside USS Iwo Jima and USS Fort Lauderdale for the Caribbean to disrupt illicit drug trafficking, the release said. The ship also conducted contingency operations in the region, including disaster response in Jamaica from Oct. 31 to Nov. 13, 2025, after Hurricane Melissa, working with Joint Task Force Bravo to provide humanitarian assistance.

“Our deployment to the 4th Fleet area of responsibility required immense focus, and I stand continually impressed by this crew’s dedication to the mission,” said Uhl.