“The Star-Spangled Banner” played at 8 a.m. sharp at Pier 10 at Naval Station Norfolk on Wednesday as sailors from the USS Ross prepared their ship to get underway.
The destroyer is part of the George H. W. Bush carrier strike group, which is likely relieving the overdue Gerald R. Ford’s carrier strike group in the Middle East. The Ford is on track for one of the longest deployments since the Vietnam war.
The Ford deployed to the Red Sea in June 2025, then was rerouted to the Caribbean in October before returning to the Middle East in February. Several outlets have reported on the toll on the Ford’s sailors of extended deployment orders and a fire onboard that caused hundreds to lose their bedding.
The Ross’ commanding officer Pia Chapman said her sailors are ready.
“The team has trained incredibly hard, worked incredibly hard to make sure the ship is ready, my sailors are ready. We’ve had incredible support from our family, our friends, all the maintenance community and the community here in Norfolk writ large. So we’re prepared to go,” Chapman said.
Chapman declined to answer questions about when the remainder of the Bush’s strike group will follow or the expected length of the deployment, citing operational security.
“No matter what’s coming our way, the team that we have on board is the team I want to deploy with,” Chapman said. “They’re going to be safe and come back home safe.”
Navy Capt. Maggie Dean and her husband, Christopher, were on the pier to see off their daughter, Abbie, on her first deployment.
“I’m very excited for her,” Maggie Dean said. “Obviously it’s been accelerated because of ongoing events, but there’s a point where I think most people in the military reach that you are eager to leave while also sad to leave.”
Dean said that her advice to her daughter was to focus on getting her qualifications and making memories.
“Regardless of the mission that is currently ongoing, the relationships and the trust you build with your shipmates is something that will endure,” Dean said. “I think she’s well prepared. You never know what’s going to happen, but at the same time, I think that mental fortitude is really critical.”
Hannah Donsonwhite, herself a sailor, was there to support her sister as she began her fifth deployment. She said she’s sad to see her sister leave but proud of her for serving her country.
“We had a nice little going away party for my girl (on Sunday). We did a little kiki. So she’s feeling good about today. She’s going in with good spirits,” Donsonwhite said.
In addition to the Ross, two other ships from the Bush’s carrier strike group have also deployed. The USS Mason and USS Donald Cook left Florida on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. The USS Gettysburg, a guided missile cruiser, returned to Norfolk from the Caribbean Sea on Monday.
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