Video: Sailors return to Everett home port

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EVERETT, Wash. - Thousands of sailors returned to their home port of Everett Sunday after a seven-month deployment.

Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, which includes the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and guided missile destroyers USS Momsen and the USS Shoup, sailed into port to the cheers of family and friends.

Margo Bambacigno traveled all the way from Idaho to be reunited with her son, a sailor on board the Lincoln.

"He's been gone so long. Seven months is a long time. We missed him," she said.

The three ships carried about 3,500 sailors.

The Lincoln provided security to the U.S. and its allies, and a formidable presence against potential threats in the Persian Gulf. 

The commanding officer can finally relax. He successfully completed his mission-to bring all 3,000 sailors home safe.

"I'll go home and sleep for a couple of days," said Capt. Patrick Hull, Commanding Officer, USS Lincoln

During its deployment, the Lincoln contributed to over 7,100 successful "sorties," or launches and recoveries of aircraft from the flight deck.

The Carrier Strike Group also participated in exercises with coalition countries and other nations, assisted mariners in distress and and visited ports in Singapore, Brunei, Bahrain, Thailand, Australia, Palau, Saipan, Cyprus, and Oman.