The USS Carl Vinson and its 3,500 crew members sailed into their new homeport at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego on Monday morning.
The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was on its way to San Diego from Virginia in January when it was called to lead initial efforts by the Navy to provide humanitarian aid and disaster relief to Haiti following a magnitude 7.0 earthquake.
According to the Navy, the Carrier’s crew delivered more than 3 million pounds of food, water and medical supplies to Haitian victims. The ship’s medical team treated 60 patients, while the air wing flew 1,299 sorties and conducted 1,152 medical evacuations.
Carl Vinson is the flagship of the newly established Carrier Strike Group 1, based in San Diego and commanded by Rear Adm. Ted Branch.
"We are excited by the opportunity to establish this new command and bring the power of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group online in support of our nation's defense," Branch said in a statement. "I'm also very happy to bring this capability, along with the men and women who make it possible, to the great city of San Diego."
The homeporting of the Carl Vinson in San Diego will have a $400 million annual impact on the local economy, according to the Navy.
San Diego is home to two other aircraft carriers, the USS Nimitz and the USS Ronald Reagan.
