NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The USS Vella Gulf has returned to its home port in Virginia following a six-month deployment.

The guided-missile cruiser arrived at Naval Station Norfolk on Saturday.

The Navy says the ship conducted naval operations with allies and regional partners in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe.

While deployed, the ship conducted 15 port visits. That included stops in Scotland, Italy, Cyprus, Israel, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Turkey and Georgia.

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