USS Sioux City returns to Mayport from deployment

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Welcome home, sailors! The USS Sioux City, a Freedom-variant combat ship, returned to Mayport on Friday morning.

The ship was deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations to aid in missions that included counter-illicit drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.

About 497 kilograms of cocaine was seized by the ship during deployment in September. Officials said that amount has an estimated street value of over $20.7 million.

Families were excited to see their loved ones come home just in time for the holidays.

“Oh my gosh. It feels so good. It’s been a long-time coming. Seems like he’s always gone during the holidays, so it’s great that he’s back during Christmas,” Danielle, a Navy spouse said.

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