The cruiser USS Lake Champlain will return to Naval Station San Diego today from a seven-month deployment.
The Navy ship went through the Panama Canal and crossed the Atlantic Ocean to reach areas covered by the U.S. Central Command, which includes the Middle East and South Asia.
The cruiser took part in exercises with ships of numerous other countries, according to the Navy. Sailors also participated in community relations projects in Greece and Bahrain.
"This deployment was not the conventional deployment usually witnessed by a cruiser from the West Coast," said Capt. Mark Johnson, the ship's commanding officer.
"This deployment was an overall success as our crew was able to test our combat readiness as a warship through maintenance and training exercises and as a protector of the high seas in promoting peace and security around the globe."
The Lake Champlain left San Diego last Oct. 6, carrying 24 officers and 340 enlisted sailors.
