By Mass Communications Specialist Petty Officer 2nd Class (SW/AW) Gretchen Albrecht
BANGOR, Wash. (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the USS Connecticut (SSN 22) returned to Bremerton, Wash., March 10, after successfully completing a six month deployment.
Family members gathered together on the pier to welcome their loved ones home, and for some the moment was even more special due to the birth of a child during the deployment.
"I am very excited for Charlie to meet his dad for the first time," said Kaitlyn Mandigo. "He was born 10 hours after the boat deployed so it has been hard, but it will be so nice to be a family again."
Many Sailors are glad to be home and are looking forward to some well-deserved time off with their families.
"It was really hard being away from my family and not being there for the birth of my daughter," said Lt. Cmdr. Jared Severson, Connecticut Engineering Officer. "With God's help we succeeded and made it home safely. I am looking forward to spending time with my family and getting to know my little girl."
Connecticut successfully completed two missions and one major inspection, and conducted liberty port calls in the Philippines, Guam, and Japan.