Oceana's Blue Blasters due home Wednesday

Posted to: Military Virginia Beach

The Virginian-Pilot
© October 6, 2008

VIRGINIA BEACH

The Blue Blasters of Strike Fighter Squadron 34 are scheduled to return to Oceana Naval Air Station on Wednesday following a nearly seven-month deployment with the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, the Navy announced.

The squadron and its 10 F/A-18C Hornets left March 16 to join Carrier Air Wing Two in California aboard the Lincoln. During their mission they supported troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, completing nearly 1,600 sorties. Of those, 469 were combat sorties that delivered 9,500 pounds of ordnance.

Twenty-three sailors reenlisted during the deployment and collected almost $107,000 in bonuses. Seven babies were born while the squadron was gone.

Share your homecoming photos at the Military life photo gallery.

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