Navy Customs Battalion Quebec Returns to Norfolk
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060927-11
Release Date: 9/27/2006 11:25:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Derek Poole, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- More than 290 Sailors from the Navy Customs Battalion Quebec returned to Naval Station Norfolk Sept. 26, after a six month deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The Sailors served as Department of Defense customs inspectors at sea and aerial ports of debarkation in Kuwait and Iraq.
“I feel wonderful, glad to be home. It has been a long time coming,” said Master Chief Damage Controlman David Esposito. “We were able to support the warfighters in Iraq as they departed going home, ...it was a big reward to me to service the warfighters.”
Navy Customs Battalion Quebec consists of 400 Sailors from 106 Navy Operation Support Centers in 42 states, Guam and Puerto Rico.
During the deployment, the battalion conducted more than 1 million bag inspections, processed more than 350,000 passenger inspections, cleared 35,000 vehicles and conducted more than 35,000 civilian border inspections.
Rear Adm. Henry B. Tomlin, who served as commander, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group, for most of their deployment, attended the homecoming and offered the Sailors a warm welcome.
“These Sailors come from all walks of life, from all over the country,” said Tomlin. “They didn’t know each other in the beginning and now after six months they are a team.”
The remaining 110 Sailors will return to Norfolk Sept. 28.
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