PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The Pearl Harbor-based Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Reuben James (FFG 57) returned to its homeport of Naval Station Pearl Harbor from a six-month deployment, Feb. 22, as hundreds of friends and family members waited on the pier with open arms.
Sailors reunited with loved ones were ecstatic when they spotted their friends and family waving for them from the pier.
"I'm happy I get to see my family again," said Storekeeper 3rd Class (SW) Romulo Villanueva.
While underway, Reuben James performed various missions in support of the war on terrorism and conducted community relation projects in Guadalcanal, Tonga and Samoa.
"We went to several countries and conducted counter-terrorism missions," said Cmdr. Joseph Naman, the ship's commanding officer.
During port visits to Guadalcanal, Samoa and Tonga, Reuben James Sailors spent time building relationships with the local communities by volunteering to help with construction of hospitals and houses, clearing land and painting women's shelters.
"Every port we pulled into we would do community relations projects," said Naman. "Normally we would have about 20 volunteers from the command for each project."
Reuben James also took part in the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal. As a tribute to service members and local Solomon Islanders who lost their lives during the Guadalcanal campaign, the crew of Reuben James conducted several traditional ship-handling maneuvers across Iron Bottom Sound.
"It was good for us because it was a chance for us to connect with some history," Naman added.