Families cheered, waved signs and shared hugs with sailors who got their feet back on American soil for the first time since the Nimitz-class carrier was sent to the western Pacific.

Reporter Essex Porter In San Diego

The hugs and kisses were especially sweet for fathers who were seeing their babies for the first time.

Christine Dybdahl of Kirkland waited hours for her son to arrive.

"It's really a good feeling to come back knowing we worked hard for the United States we feel great. It's the people here who support us that means the most. It's just fantastic," said Robert Dybdahl of Kirkland, in an interview with KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter Essex Porter.

More than 70 aircraft from the Carrier Air Wing Nine returned to San Diego Sunday.

Four Prowlers from a Whidbey Island squadron landed Sunday after leaving the Vinson.

The Carl Vinson Strike Group, with more than 6,400 sailors, left Southern California in January for training off Hawaii, according to the Navy. The strike group was ordered to the western Pacific to replace the USS Kitty Hawk Battle Group, which was deployed to support Operation Iraqi Freedom.

During the deployment, aircraft from the Carl Vinson flew more than 10,000 sorties, offered indirect strike-planning support for Operation Iraqi Freedom and participated in several international naval exercises, according to the Navy.

The ship is set to arrive at its homeport in Bremerton on Friday.

Family and friends are preparing for the return of two U.S. Navy support ships this week.

The USS Sacramento and the USS Ingraham are with the Vinson battle group.

The Sacramento returns Thursday and the USS Ingraham is due back Friday.