Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Alexander C. Metzger, a 2007 graduate of Hinckley-Big Rock High School, along with 5,500 sailors and Marines assigned to the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group (CSG), recently arrived in Norfolk, Va., following a seven-and-a-half-month deployment supporting operations in the Mediterranean and the Arabian Seas.

USS Enterprise’s return to Norfolk is the 25th and final homecoming in her 51 years of service. The aircraft carrier is scheduled to be deactivated Dec. 1 in a ceremony at Norfolk Naval Station.

During her 238 days away from Norfolk, “Big E,” as Enterprise is affectionately known, safely steamed 80,968 miles and Carrier Air Wing 1 (CVW-1) flew more than 8,000 sorties in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and exercises in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.