The Best Photos of the USS George H.W. Bush’s Homecoming

After nine months of deployment, the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group returned home to Norfolk, Va., Saturday.

The strike group, which includes an aircraft carrier named after the 41st president, carried out the first airstrikes in Iraq in early August, steamed a total of 73,400 nautical miles and was the first on the scene providing U.S. combat capability over Iraq to fight the Islamic State, also known as ISIS.

Family and friends greeted the crew with open arms and heavy hearts over the weekend. Here are some of our favorite photos from the homecoming.

My son happy homecoming from deployment on the USS H.W. Bush! pic.twitter.com/VEcAbJQaZQ

— Elizabeth Dawson (@eadawson5) November 16, 2014

#MilitaryMonday: Welcome home USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) following a nine month deployment! pic.twitter.com/imvGB0lxDI — Crash MacDuff??? (@Crash_MacDuff) November 17, 2014

Student letters to Veterans returning from a long deployment on the USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77). pic.twitter.com/N6EluQ7pf4

— Crozet Elementary (@CrozetElem) November 13, 2014

New captain running the USS Bush! pic.twitter.com/BtlIYSMnWn — Wade Murray (@WadeMurray7) November 16, 2014

RETURNING HUGS Navy Cmdr. Camille Flaherity hugs her son after returning to Norfolk, Va., from a deployment . pic.twitter.com/0VC3Zlag2i

— MichaelDouglasCarlin (@MichaelDCarlin) October 22, 2014

East Beach welcomes home the USS Bush. pic.twitter.com/B1Kl7PSODW — Sherri Paris (@eastbeachhomes) November 15, 2014

Welcome home! Sailors aboard the USS George H.W. Bush and USS Truxtun arrived home today – http://t.co/RMkzu7ClVw pic.twitter.com/DwmMcM6Iui

— Erica Greenway (@ericagreenway) November 15, 2014

First Hug off the USS George H.W. Bush CVN 77. Welcome Home Baby Brother! The last 8 months & 3 Days went by so slow pic.twitter.com/BunCYFUZl0 — Ashley Procter (@spnbatgirl) November 15, 2014