Navy ship returns after daring rescue

NORFOLK, Va. - Deployments are a part of life on a Navy ship, as much an opportunity to see the world as a career to make a living. But when seven months at sea includes an historic high seas rescue that made international news, it makes the time away something special.

"It was unexpected," said USS Bainbridge Commander Frank Castellano, "but something that we trained about."

Off the coast of Somalia, the USS Bainbridge took part in a daring mission to save the life of an American sea captain held hostage by pirates. In April, a group of Somali pirates captured the Maersk Alabama, a container ship based out of Norfolk.

Captain Richard Phillips gave himself up to protect his crew, who guided the vessel to Mombasa, Kenya. Phillips was trapped on a lifeboat, floating with pirates as a hostage. Safety was a ropes length away, as the USS Bainbridge towed the lifeboat out to sea.

During the night, Phillips tried to escape from the lifeboat, but when the pirates fired their guns into the water around him, Phillips returned. He would remain a hostage as the world watched.

For days the captain was trapped, until the decision came down from Washington: Captain Phillips life was in imminent danger. From the deck of the Bainbridge, snipers killed the three remaining pirates. And Phillips was brought on board.

Now, after making history, the USS Bainbridge is making its way home.

Stay with Ten On Your Side for complete coverage of the homecoming on Monday.