NORFOLK, Va. - Hundreds of local sailors said goodbye to their families Sunday morning as they headed out to sea on the USS Mahan.I'm going to miss my family, but it's my job and you've got to do what you've got to do," said CTR1 Jason.
Jason has been on three different deployments, but said this is the first since he's had his son, and they did a lot to prepare for this goodbye.
"We celebrated our birthdays together. We went out and did a bunch of stuff together, as much as we could possibly do to, I guess, kind of make up for the time we'll miss and be going through."
The time these men and women will miss during their six month deployment includes the holidays. For 19 month-old Hayley, this will be her first time away from daddy.
"This is the first Christmas she'll actually understand opening the presents and everything," said Hayley's mother."It's hard, but you just deal with it and move on and be back as soon as we can," said FC2 Dustin Pelzel.
This is a routine mission for the sailors aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Mahan.
"The main thing we'll be heading out to do is maritime security operations and that kind of runs the gamut, everything from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, to promoting peace and security and stability in the maritime areas around the world," said Commander Kurt Mahan.
This deployment is something the Dominguez's have never experienced.
"It's his first deployment, I'm a first time wife, so, navy wife, first time being separated for this long, so, it's getting kind of emotional and it's just that I'm pregnant, so," said Mrs. Dominguez and her husband.
It was an emotional day for everyone pierside. Fathers and mothers held their little ones tight, preparing for that six month separation. Everyone made the same promise.
"I love her and I'll be back soon enough," said one sailor.
A brand new ship and she already has a rust stain down the starboard side.
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