USS Mahan embarks on deployment

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - USS Mahan left Naval Station Norfolk Friday morning for a deployment, set to return next summer.

According to the Navy, USS Mahan will deploy to the U.S. 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility to participate in Ballistic Missile Defense operations.

"This allows us to go offshore, in international waters and provide defensive capability against a ballistic missile threat. It's a very important mission for both our nation and our allies over in the Mediterranean," CDR Adam Aycock said.

Emotions ran high at the deployment.

"The biggest emotions are the kids and their separation," Tony Woodard, husband of a sailor on board the Mahan said. "It's mom and not dad, so it's harder for her."

Although sailors got to spend a part of the holidays with their families, some are going to be missing out on birthdays and other special events.

"It's always hard to send someone overseas, especially when you know there may be some kind of conflict and things going on, and it's hard during the holiday season, and to boot, his birthday was today. So that's not a lot of fun," Michelle Hewitt, a sailor's sister, said.

Mahan is the fourth ship named after Alfred Thayer Mahan, considered to be the father of all modern navies.