NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) returned home Thursday following an eight-and-a-half month deployment.

Since December, the Bataan ARG and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conducted training, exercises and operations in the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa command areas. This was to improve maritime stability support and the United States security defense.

“Throughout our time in the U.S. Fifth and U.S. Sixth Fleet regions, the sailors and Marines of the Bataan ARG and 26th MEU(SOC) showcased the unique capabilities that we bring as a response force to our allies and partners,” Amphibious Squadron 8 Commodore Capt. Martin Robertson said. “Our presence in the Eastern Mediterranean was exactly what our nation needed: an integrated Navy and Marine Corps force ready to respond when called upon.”

U.S Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said their presence in the Mediterranean Sea was instrumental in securing commercial shipping safety when the Israel-Hamas war broke out.

“The mission that they fulfilled in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, inside the weapons engagement zone on many occasions, is actually something that has not been seen since World War II,” he said. “And I’m so proud of our Navy and our Marine Corps.”

Some sailors saw their newborn baby for the first time and some said four very important words to a loved one: Will you marry me?

“It was the best thing ever — well, second to our daughter being born,” Petty Officer second class Brenden de Santis said, speaking of the moment he put the ring on his now fiancée’s finger.

And what is the first thing these sailors were looking forward to doing now that they’re home?

“Shower without shower shoes, no longer have to get into a rack, I can get into a bed,” Petty Officer second class Douglas Sessoms II said. “Just the small things that you don’t appreciate on an every day basis.”

The USS Bataan returned to Naval Station Norfolk and the USS Carter Hall returned to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek.

Marines from 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit departed the ARG ships and began returning to Camp Lejeune March 16.

More than 4,000 sailors and Marines are assigned to the ARG.

The USS Mesa Verde is expected to return to Naval Station Norfolk Friday, according to the Navy.