Maersk crew returning to US Wednesday

NORFOLK, Va. - The shipping captain held hostage by Somali pirates will return to the U.S. with his crew on Wednesday.

Maersk Line Limited said Tuesday that Captain Richard Phillips and the crew of the Maersk Alabama are expected to arrive at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland late Wednesday. They are taking a chartered flight from Mombasa, Kenya.

Pirates took over the boat briefly last week before Phillips surrendered himself in exchange for the safety of his 19-member crew. Phillips was taken hostage on a lifeboat for days before Navy SEALs killed the pirates and rescued the captain on Sunday.

Phillips and crew will be reunited with loved ones at Andrews Air Force Base in a private reception area.

Maersk Line, Limited is based in Norfolk, Va. The company provides U.S. flag transportation, ship management and technical services to government and commercial customers.