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Photos: Eisenhower air wing returns home

Commander Andrew “Sugar” Stoner embraces his daughter Katherine Stoner, 7, and son Ellis Stoner, 10, after returning to NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on July 12, 2024. The pilots returned after a nine-month combat deployment to U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)

Lt. Tyler “Glizzy” Swartz holds his girlfriend Ali Waters after Members of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 returned to NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on July 12, 2024. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)

Britton Girard of Strike Fighter Squadron 83 holds his daughter Maggie Girard, 3, as Evie Girard, 2, runs up to greet him at NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on July 12, 2024. Girard returned after a nearly nine-month deployment with the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)

Jacob Jeronimus, 8, holds on to his fathers hand after Members of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 returned to NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on July 12, 2024. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)

Commander Andrew “Sugar” Stoner reacts as he holds his daughter Katherine Stoner, 7, after returning to NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on July 12, 2024. The pilots returned after a nearly nine-month deployment with the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)

Marvin “Starvin’” Scott speaks to members of the media after Members of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 returned to NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on July 12, 2024. The pilots returned after a nearly nine-month deployment with the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)

Victory markings are seen stenciled under the cockpit of the plane of Commander Andrew “Sugar” Stoner of Strike Fighter Squadron 131 after returning NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on July 12, 2024. The markings represent aerial victory achieved while deployed. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)

Friends and family of pilots with Strike Fighter Squadron 131 fly over NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on July 12, 2024. Pilots aboard Dwight D. Eisenhower successfully flew more than 13,800 sorties, accumulated more than 31,000 flight hours, and completed 10,000+ aircraft launches and recoveries during the nine month deployment. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)

Britton “Beavis” Girard of Strike Fighter Squadron 83 presents a rose to his daughters after returning to NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on July 12, 2024. The pilots returned after a nearly nine-month deployment with the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)

Lindsay Nelson kisses her husband, Robert “Fat Goose” Nelson, after he returned to NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on July 12, 2024. The pilots returned after a nearly nine-month deployment with the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)