More pilots and sailors arrived in Lemoore on Tuesday after spending 8 months aboard the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln.
The carrier was serving in Operation Enduring Freedom in the Persian Gulf.
Dozens of pilots from the "Bounty Hunters" squadron flew arrived in their F/A-18s.
The homecoming felt surreal for the Smith family. Navy pilot Erik Smith met his newborn boy for the first time. “Found out that the little one was born when I got away,” said Smith. “It's a little surreal but it's awesome,” said his wife, Jessica.
Later in day, hundreds of sailors arrived on Navy passenger planes.
The service men and women say they are ready to re-deploy at any time.
