NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - The USS Enterprise will be returning to Norfolk from her last deployment on Sunday, Nov. 4.
The crew of more than 5,000 Sailors and Marines have been deployed for nearly eight months supporting operations in the Mediterranean and the Arabian Sea.
The homecoming will be Enterprise's 25th and last homecoming after 51 years of service. Enterprise will be inactivated in a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk Dec. 1, 2012.
"Homecoming will no doubt be a bittersweet day," Commanding Officer William C. Hamilton said. "We are pleased to be returning to our families after a very successful deployment, but to know that it is the last time Enterprise will be underway through her own power makes our return very sentimental."
While deployed, Enterprise's crew conducted maritime security operations, missions in support of Enduring Freedom and theater security cooperation efforts.