NORFOLK, Va. - The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) returned to Naval Station Norfolk Thursday after a deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation.
The USS Laboon deployed in January with the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group.
During their deployment, the Laboon made several drug busts while conducting maritime security operations in the Arabian Sea.
Laboon also conducted two of the oldest naval traditions, the Shellback ceremony for crossing the equator, and the Blue Nose ceremony for crossing the Arctic Circle.
"Laboon crew members said goodbye to their families and friends six months ago on Jan. 21st, as they departed for deployment," said Labott. "In the roughly 180 days that Laboon has been gone, the officers and Sailors have accomplished so much. It's staggering. I couldn’t be more proud of this crew and the dedication and drive they have shown each and every day."
Logging more than 50,000 nautical miles, Laboon traversed several major choke points in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet. From transiting the Strait of Gibraltar to the Suez Canal in order to conduct operations in Middle East, to transiting the English Channel for operations in the North Atlantic Ocean, Laboon led the way for the Strike Group.
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