For two dozen sailors returning to Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu Oct. 1, the sight of home and family felt nothing short of amazing.
After a 10-month deployment aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and Carrier Air Wing 9, the 25 members of the base's Airborne Command and Control Squadron VAW-117 reunited with family and friends welcoming their return with flags and handmade signs.
The crew left San Diego on Nov. 25, 2025.
Some sailors aboard USS Lincoln described poor conditions and low morale as the aircraft carrier remained at sea for roughly 280 days, setting a modern record.
Cmdr. Ryan Heilmann, 38, of Camarillo, commanding officer of VAW-117, was reunited with his 5-year-old son, Benjamin Heilmann.
“It feels surreal still,”
he said. “Been missing this little guy for a long time.”
Heilmann said the deployment, which began in mid-November, was expected to last a little less than six months but was extended multiple times.
“It was absolutely worthwhile what we’re doing out there. It made sense,” he said. “Everybody wants to get home, but we knew we were out there for a reason and everyone was getting the job done.”
Heilmann said it was his fifth deployment. While extensions are tough, he said he was glad everyone returned safely and performed “amazingly.”
The commander said the crew was aware that the media reported on the complaints about the extended deployment.
“Deployments are always challenging. We understood why we were out there,” he said. “There’s various reports from the boat, some true, some not true.”
Mental health services were always available, and everyone performed well and remained focused the entire time, he said.
Heilmann said he now planned to spend time with his family, including his wife, Avigail.
Lt. Tim Swanson, 27, of Ventura also said the crew was aware of news stories about the length of deployment. Having your deployment pushed back “always sucks,” he said.
“We know that wasn’t the decision of anyone on the ship. We know that there was a good reason for it.”
He said this was his first deployment, and it was more than 300 days.
“It was definitely not what I expected, not in a bad way,” he said, adding it was busier than peacetime operations. He said he would deploy again if the U.S. Navy needs him.
“It felt great,” he said of returning home. “I’ve been looking at the same boat and ocean view for the past 300 days, so getting out and seeing land feels amazing.”
Wes Woods II covers West County for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at wesley.woodsii@vcstar.com, 805-437-0262 or @JournoWes.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Naval Base Ventura County sailors return after Middle East deployment
